What Is It? A Morton's neuroma is a benign (noncancerous)
swelling along a nerve in the foot that carries sensations from
the toes. The reason the nerve starts to swell is unknown. But
once swelling begins, the nearby bones and ligaments put
pressure on the nerve, causing more irritation and inflammation.
This produces burning pain, numbness, tingling and other
abnormal sensations in the toes. A Morton's neuroma also is
called an interdigital neuroma, intermetatarsal neuroma or a
forefoot neuroma. A Morton's neuroma usually develops between
the third and fourth toes. Less commonly, it develops between
the second and third toes. Other locations are rare. It also is
rare for a Morton's neuroma to develop in both feet at the same
time. The condition is much more common in women than men,
probably as a result of wearing high-heeled, narrow-toed shoes.
This style of shoe tends to shift the bones of the feet into an
abnormal position, which increases the risk that a neuroma will
form. Being overweight also increase