The Back Pain Doctor
Morton neuroma describes irritation and thickening around a nerve between the metatarsal bones in the forefoot. Intermetatarsal bursitis can produce similar symptoms and may coexist. Patients often describe burning, tingling, numbness or a feeling of walking on a small pebble.
Assessment considers footwear, foot shape, activity load, tenderness between the metatarsals and whether symptoms are nerve-like. Ultrasound can be useful when the diagnosis is uncertain or an image-guided procedure is being planned.
Non-surgical care usually begins with reducing compression through the forefoot. This may involve wider shoes, metatarsal support, load modification and addressing training or work demands. Persistent symptoms may warrant discussion of injection options and, in selected cases, surgical referral.
The options below include the treatments offered at The Back Pain Doctor. Listing a treatment does not mean it is recommended for this condition. The evidence, likely benefit and role of each option are considered against the diagnosis, examination findings, imaging where appropriate, patient goals, risks, cost and alternatives.
This is the starting point for most musculoskeletal conditions.
The priority is to identify the likely pain generator, explain the condition clearly, modify aggravating load and build a realistic plan to restore strength, movement and confidence.
Evidence is condition-specific; it is not a universal pain treatment.
Shockwave is best framed as an adjunct where the diagnosis fits. It is generally more established for selected tendon and plantar heel pain presentations than for many joint or nerve conditions.
Read moreEvidence varies substantially by condition, tissue and preparation method.
PRP may be discussed in selected tendon or joint presentations. It should not be presented as a guaranteed regenerative treatment, and uncertainty, cost and alternatives should be discussed.
Read moreMay provide symptom relief when the pain generator is a joint, bursa, tendon sheath or other defined irritable structure.
Injection treatment may be discussed when pain is limiting sleep, function or rehabilitation. The expected benefit is usually symptom control, not tissue regeneration.
Read moreClinical evidence is still developing and guideline support is limited.
EMTT may be discussed as an adjunct in selected presentations, but should be presented with clear uncertainty and never as a replacement for diagnosis, load management or rehabilitation.
Read moreEvidence is condition-specific and generally less established than exercise-based care.
Prolotherapy may be considered in carefully selected chronic ligament, tendon or joint-related pain presentations, but it is not a first-line treatment.
Read moreMost relevant when focal myofascial pain is a clear contributor.
Trigger point treatment may reduce pain from focal muscle spasm or myofascial tenderness. It should be paired with movement restoration, strength work and recurrence prevention.
Read moreRelevant only if symptoms, examination and imaging where appropriate support a nerve pain generator.
Nerve-focused treatment may be discussed when the clinical picture supports nerve irritation or entrapment. Progressive deficit or red flags require escalation.
Read moreThis is general information only. Suitability is assessed individually. Treatments with limited or condition-dependent evidence may still be discussed, but only with clear explanation of uncertainty, expected benefit, risks, cost and alternatives. Red flags, progressive neurological symptoms or suspected serious pathology require a different pathway.
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