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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffDoctors don't understand exactly what causes Morton's neuroma. The condition seems to occur in response to irritation, pressure or injury to one of the digital nerves that lead to your toes. The growth of thickened nerve tissue (neuroma) is part of your body's response to the irritation or injury.
Factors that appear to contribute to Morton's neuroma include:
- Wearing high-heeled shoes or shoes that are tight or ill-fitting, including those that box in your feet and place pressure on your toes
- High-impact athletic activities, such as jogging, that may subject your feet to repetitive trauma
- Injury to your foot
In some cases, Morton's neuroma may result from abnormal movement of your foot, caused by bunions, hammertoes, flatfeet or excessive flexibility. In some cases, there's no clear cause of pressure or irritation.
- Morton's Neuroma. American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://www.orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00158. Accessed July 11, 2008.
- Hughes, RJ, et. al. Musculoskeletal Imaging: Treatment of Morton's Neuroma with Alcohol Injection Under Sonographic Guidance: Follow-Up of 101 Cases. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2007; 188:1535-1539.
- Womack, JW., M.D., et. al. Long-Term Evaluation of Interdigital Neuroma Treated by Surgical Excision. Foot & Ankle International. 2008; 29(6): 574-577.
- Markovic, M, MB, BS, et. al. Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Corticosteroid Injection in the Treatment of Morton's Neuroma. Foot & Ankle International. 2008; 29(5): 483-487.
- Mozena, JD., DPM, et. al. Efficacy of Chemical Neurolysis for the Treatment of Interdigital Nerve Compression of the Foot: A Retrospective Study. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. May 2007; 97(3): 203-206.
- Akermark, C, et. al. A prospective 2-year follow-up study of plantar incisions in the treatment of primary intermetatarsal neuromas (Morton's neuroma). Foot & Ankle Surgery. 2008; 14: 67-73.
- Weller, G (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 27, 2008.
