Medically reviewed by Dr. Baxter, DPM, board-certified foot and ankle surgeon | 9/23/26
That “Pebble in Your Shoe” Feeling Could Be a Neuroma
You’re walking through Target or finishing a pickleball match, and it feels like a small stone is stuck under the ball of your foot. You take off your shoe and check, and there’s nothing there. The feeling may come with burning, tingling, or numbness that spreads into your toes.
If that sounds familiar, you may have Morton’s neuroma. It’s one of the most common causes of ball-of-foot pain our podiatrists see at Preferred Foot & Ankle in Gilbert and Chandler, and the good news is that most people get relief without surgery.
What Is Morton’s Neuroma?
A neuroma is a thickening of the tissue around a nerve in the foot, sometimes called a pinched nerve. The most common type is Morton’s neuroma, which usually forms between the third and fourth toes. It can also form between the second and third toes.
When the bones around the nerve squeeze or rub against it over and over, the tissue around it thickens and gets irritated. That thickened area is what causes the pain.
What Causes Morton’s Neuroma?
Neuromas usually develop from ongoing pressure and irritation. Common causes include:
- Tight or narrow shoes that squeeze the toes together
- High heels, which push more of your body weight onto the ball of the foot
- High-impact activities like running, tennis, and pickleball (see our sports injury care)
- Foot shape and alignment problems such as bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, or high arches
Neuromas are more common in women, largely because of footwear choices.
Signs You May Have a Neuroma
- Feeling like you’re standing on a pebble or a folded sock
- Burning pain in the ball of the foot that may spread into the toes
- Tingling or numbness in the toes
- Pain that gets worse in tight shoes or during activity
- Relief when you take your shoes off and rub your foot
Symptoms often start out mild and come and go. Over time, without treatment, they can become more frequent and last longer.
How Our Podiatrists Diagnose a Neuroma
Our doctors start with a physical exam, pressing on different parts of your foot to find where the pain comes from and whether it matches your symptoms. X-rays may be used to rule out other causes like stress fractures or arthritis. In some cases, imaging such as ultrasound can help confirm the diagnosis.
The earlier a neuroma is found, the more likely it is to respond to simple, conservative care.
Morton’s Neuroma Treatment Options
Changes you can make right away:
- Switch to shoes with a wide toe box and a low heel (our guide to choosing the right shoe for your activity can help)
- Skip high heels and tight dress shoes when you can
- Ice the area to calm irritation
- Take a short break from high-impact activities
In-office treatment:
- Padding to take pressure off the nerve
- Custom orthotics made in our in-house lab. Our Lily Device™ is designed to take pressure off the ball of the foot, and because we make it in-house, we can adjust it quickly for the best fit
- Anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce pain and swelling
- Injections to calm inflammation around the nerve
When surgery is an option:
If conservative care doesn’t bring enough relief, surgery may be recommended to relieve pressure on the nerve or remove the affected tissue. Our board-certified foot and ankle surgeons will walk you through every option so you can make the choice that’s right for you.
Morton’s Neuroma FAQs
Can a neuroma go away on its own?
The thickened tissue usually doesn’t go away by itself, but symptoms often improve a lot with wider shoes, padding, and orthotics. The earlier you start treatment, the better your chances of avoiding surgery.
What’s the difference between a neuroma and metatarsalgia?
Metatarsalgia is a general term for pain in the ball of the foot, often from too much pressure on the bones there. A neuroma involves an irritated nerve, so it’s more likely to cause burning, tingling, or numbness that runs into the toes. A podiatrist can tell the two apart with a quick exam.
What shoes are best for Morton’s neuroma?
Look for a wide, roomy toe box, a low heel, and a cushioned sole. Shoes that let your toes spread out take pressure off the nerve. Adding a custom orthotic can help even more.
Can I keep exercising with a neuroma?
Many people stay active by switching to lower-impact activities like swimming or cycling while symptoms calm down. Your podiatrist can help you plan a safe return to running, tennis, or pickleball.
Don’t Let Foot Pain Slow You Down
Neuroma pain can make everyday things like walking the dog, working a shift on your feet, or playing your favorite sport uncomfortable. You don’t have to push through it. Our Gilbert and Chandler podiatrists, Dr. Korab and Dr. Baxter, can find the source of your pain and build a plan that gets you back to feeling like yourself.