Neuroma Treatment in Houston, TX
If you feel a burning, tingling, or electric-shock sensation in the ball of your foot — or the sensation that there’s a pebble or bunched sock beneath your foot even when there’s nothing there — you may be experiencing a Morton’s neuroma. At In Motion Foot & Ankle in Houston, TX, our podiatric team specializes in diagnosing and treating neuromas, helping patients find meaningful relief from one of the more uncomfortable and disruptive foot conditions we encounter in practice.
What Is a Neuroma?
A neuroma — most commonly Morton’s neuroma — is a thickening of the tissue surrounding the digital nerve that runs between the metatarsal bones and into the toes. This thickening, also called a perineural fibrosis, typically develops at the third interspace (between the third and fourth toes), though it can also occur between the second and third toes. The nerve becomes compressed and irritated as it passes through the narrow channel between the metatarsal heads, leading to the characteristic burning, numbness, and electric pain that radiates into the affected toes.
Despite the term “neuroma,” this condition is not technically a tumor — it is a reactive change in the nerve tissue caused by chronic irritation and compression. However, the enlarged nerve tissue is clearly visible on diagnostic ultrasound, which we use at In Motion Foot & Ankle to confirm the diagnosis and measure the size of the neuroma prior to treatment.
Causes & Risk Factors
Neuromas develop when the digital nerve is subjected to repeated compression, irritation, or trauma. The most significant contributing factors include wearing narrow, tight, or high-heeled shoes that compress the forefoot and squeeze the metatarsal heads together, high-impact activities such as running that place repetitive pressure on the ball of the foot, biomechanical abnormalities such as flat feet or high arches that alter forefoot load distribution, and bunions or hammertoes that alter the spacing of the metatarsals. Women are disproportionately affected, primarily due to footwear habits.
Diagnosis & Treatment at In Motion Foot & Ankle
Diagnosis is confirmed through physical examination — including palpation of the interspace and specific provocative tests — and in-office diagnostic ultrasound, which allows us to directly visualize the enlarged nerve tissue. The size of the neuroma and the severity of symptoms both factor into treatment planning.
Conservative treatment options include footwear modifications (wider toe box, lower heels), metatarsal padding to separate the metatarsal heads and reduce nerve compression, custom orthotics to address underlying biomechanical contributors, activity modification, and anti-inflammatory measures. Corticosteroid injections into the affected interspace can provide significant relief in many cases. When conservative measures are exhausted, surgical excision of the neuroma or nerve decompression surgery offers high success rates with predictable outcomes. Our team also offers ultrasound-guided injections to ensure precise medication delivery directly to the affected nerve. Call In Motion Foot & Ankle at (281) 955-5500 or visit our New Patients page to schedule your evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions — Neuromas
What does a neuroma feel like?
The most common symptoms of a Morton’s neuroma include a burning, tingling, or electric-shock sensation in the ball of the foot that may radiate into the toes, numbness in the affected toes, and the sensation of a pebble, fold, or bunched sock beneath the foot — even when nothing is there. Symptoms often worsen when wearing tight shoes or during high-impact activities and may improve with rest and removal of footwear.
Which toes are most commonly affected by a neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma most commonly affects the third interspace — between the third and fourth toes — causing symptoms that radiate into those two toes. The second interspace (between the second and third toes) is the second most common location. Neuromas rarely develop in the first or fourth interspaces.
How is a neuroma diagnosed?
Diagnosis at In Motion Foot & Ankle combines clinical examination — including palpation, the Mulder’s click test, and other provocative maneuvers — with in-office diagnostic ultrasound. Ultrasound allows us to directly visualize the thickened nerve tissue, confirm the diagnosis, and measure the neuroma’s size, all of which inform treatment planning. This in-office imaging capability means we can diagnose and begin treating your neuroma in a single visit.
Can a neuroma go away on its own?
Small neuromas identified early and managed with footwear modification and conservative care may show significant symptom improvement. However, neuromas do not simply disappear — the nerve tissue thickening is a structural change that persists. Without addressing the source of compression, symptoms typically worsen over time as the nerve continues to be irritated. Early intervention produces the best outcomes.
Are corticosteroid injections effective for neuromas?
Yes. Corticosteroid injections into the affected interspace reduce nerve inflammation and swelling, providing meaningful relief for many patients — particularly those with small to moderate neuromas. At In Motion Foot & Ankle, we perform these injections using ultrasound guidance to ensure the medication is placed precisely at the target site, maximizing efficacy and minimizing discomfort. Injections may be repeated as needed, though they are most effective as part of a broader conservative management strategy.
When is surgery recommended for a neuroma?
Surgery is typically considered when several months of conservative treatment — including footwear modification, orthotics, padding, and injections — have failed to provide adequate relief. Neuroma surgery involves either excision (removal) of the thickened nerve tissue or decompression of the nerve by releasing the transverse metatarsal ligament. Both procedures have high success rates, and our team will discuss the most appropriate approach based on your neuroma size and symptom profile.
What shoes should I wear if I have a neuroma?
Choose shoes with a wide, deep toe box that allows the metatarsal heads to spread naturally without compression. Avoid narrow, pointed shoes and high heels, which squeeze the forefoot and dramatically worsen neuroma symptoms. Low-heeled, well-cushioned footwear with adequate forefoot width is ideal. Custom orthotics with a metatarsal pad can further separate the metatarsal heads and reduce nerve compression during activity.