What Is a Foot Neuroma?

A neuroma (often called a Morton’s Neuroma) is a thickening or irritation of a nerve in the foot, most commonly found between the third and fourth toes. This can cause sharp, burning pain, numbness, or the feeling that you’re standing on a pebble. Footwear that compresses the toes or repetitive pressure on the ball of the foot can make symptoms worse.

How Cortisone Injections Can Help

Cortisone injections are a common and effective treatment for reducing inflammation and pain associated with a neuroma. Cortisone (a corticosteroid medication similar to the natural hormone cortisol produced by the body) works by calming nerve irritation and surrounding tissue inflammation.

Because the cortisone is delivered directly to the site of pain, it can provide faster, more targeted relief than oral anti-inflammatory medications. The injection typically includes both the corticosteroid and a local anesthetic — the anesthetic provides immediate numbing relief, while the cortisone reduces inflammation over the following days.

Benefits

• Rapid reduction in pain and nerve irritation
• Allows healing to occur more effectively when paired with orthotics or modified footwear
• Relief can last anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months

Shockwave Therapy for Neuromas

Shockwave therapy (also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy or ESWT) is another non-surgical treatment that stimulates healing in damaged tissue around the neuroma. The therapy uses acoustic waves that increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and encourage tissue regeneration.

Benefits

• Non-invasive and drug-free
• Encourages natural repair of the nerve environment
• Typically performed over several short sessions with no downtime

Side Effects and Safety

Both cortisone injections and shockwave therapy are generally safe and well-tolerated. However, as with all medical procedures, there are some potential side effects and precautions.

Cortisone Injections

Minor risks include:

• Temporary soreness or “cortisone flare” lasting 24–48 hours
• Bruising or localized numbness
• Slight elevation in blood glucose for people with diabetes
• Rarely, tissue thinning or tendon rupture with repeated injections

Resting for 24 hours after a cortisone injection and avoiding strenuous activity for a few days helps ensure the best outcome. A maximum of 3–4 injections per year is usually recommended for safety.

Shockwave Therapy

Possible temporary effects include:

• Mild bruising, redness, or tenderness in the treatment area
• Short-term discomfort during or after the procedure

Most patients can resume normal activity immediately following shockwave sessions.

Is One Treatment Right for You?

Not everyone responds the same way to treatment. Some patients benefit most from a combination of shockwave therapy or cortisone injections, along with supportive care like custom orthotics or footwear modifications to reduce pressure on the affected nerve.

If you think you may have a neuroma, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider or one of BioPed’s lower limb clinicians. They can assess your symptoms and recommend the most effective treatment for your needs.

Come See Us

Cortisone injections and shockwave therapy are available at select BioPed clinics where Chiropody and Pedorthic services are offered.
To book an appointment or find your nearest location, visit bioped.com.
We’re here to help relieve your foot pain and get you back to comfort.

The post Treating Foot Neuromas with Cortisone Injections and Shockwave Therapy appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

Let’s break down what Morton’s neuroma really is, why footwear plays such a big role, and how to treat Morton’s neuroma effectively.

What Is Morton’s Neuroma?

A neuroma is a nerve that has become thickened and or irritation caused by pressure, compression, or repeated stress. A Morton’s neuroma is when it develops between the third and fourth toes.

Common Symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma

People experience Morton’s neuroma differently, but common symptoms include:

• Burning or sharp pain in the ball of the foot
• Tingling or numbness in the toes
• A sensation of walking on a marble or bunched-up sock
• Pain that worsens with tight or narrow shoes
• Relief when shoes are removed or the foot is massaged

If these symptoms sound familiar, footwear may be contributing more than you realize.

Why Your Shoes Might Be Making It Worse

Shoes are one of the biggest contributors to neuroma pain.

Footwear Features That Can Trigger a Neuroma:

• Narrow toe boxes that squeeze the toes together
• High heels, which shift body weight onto the ball of the foot
• Minimal cushioning under the forefoot
• Shoes that lack proper support or stability

Over time, this pressure compresses the nerve between the metatarsal bones, leading to inflammation and pain.

How to Treat Morton’s Neuroma

The good news? Most cases of Morton’s neuroma can be treated conservatively, especially when caught early.

Shoe Modifications (Often the First Step)

Switching to shoes with:

• A wide toe box
• Low or no heel elevation
• Adequate cushioning under the forefoot

This alone can significantly reduce nerve pressure.

Custom Orthotics

Custom foot orthotics can:

• Redistribute pressure away from the nerve
• Improve foot biomechanics
• Reduce ongoing irritation

A common feature is a metatarsal pad or a neuroma pad, which gently spreads the bones and relieves nerve compression.

Activity Modification

High-impact activities or prolonged standing can aggravate symptoms. Temporary changes—like reducing impact or alternating footwear—can help calm the nerve.

Targeted Therapies

Depending on severity, additional treatments may include:

• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Manual therapy
• Shockwave therapy
• Corticosteroid or sclerosing alcohol injections

Your BioPed practitioner will guide you based on your specific symptoms and lifestyle.

Surgery (A Last Resort)

Surgery is not usually the first option and is only considered when all other treatments fail. Most patients improve significantly with non-surgical care.

When Should You See a BioPed practitioner?

You should seek professional assessment if:

• Pain persists despite changing shoes
• Symptoms worsen or become constant
• You experience numbness or tingling that doesn’t resolve

Early treatment leads to better outcomes and often avoids invasive procedures.

The post What Morton’s Neuroma Really Is—and How to Treat It appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.