Morton’s neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly occurs between your third and fourth toes. The condition can give you a burning sensation that radiates out from the balls of your feet or it could feel like you have a tiny pebble trapped in the fold of your sock.
Morton’s neuroma occurs from the thickening of the tissue around the nerves that lead to your toes. This is what gives the sensation of burning and sharpness in your foot.
You might be at increased risk for Morton’s neuroma if you commonly wear high heels. The rear lift of high heels places extra pressure on your toes and the balls of your feet. Continually, certain high impact and repetitive sports such as running or jogging, skiing and rock climbing can also be damaging to the foot and lead to Morton’s neuroma.
If you have preexisting foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoes, high arches, or flatfeet you are at a higher risk of developing Morton’s neuroma.
When experiencing foot pain, it’s best not to ignore any that lasts longer than a few days. If you are experiencing a burning pain in the ball of your foot, contact your doctor.
MD, Board-Certified Internist, Concierge Medicine Physician
Dr. Guy Delorefice has been practicing in Sonoma County since 1999 as a board-certified internist. He earned a degree in Biology from St. Mary’s College of California, then completed his medical degree at Creighton University. While at Creighton, he launched medical clinics in third-world countries and became fluent in Spanish. His internship and internal medicine residency were completed at Providence St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. After finishing his training, he relocated to Sonoma County to be closer to home and family. Dr. Guy has built a reputation for exceptional patient care and has been voted by peers as a top physician in his specialty in consecutive years.
Outside medicine, he is deeply family-oriented — married to Rebecca, father to Lani and Capri, with a black lab named Hank. He’s passionate about the outdoors and spends time mountain biking, road biking, abalone diving, fishing, hunting, and skiing. He’s often seen biking around Sonoma with his family.