Morton's neuroma excision at Spire Dunedin Hospital

Morton's neuroma is when the nerves in the foot become irritated and thickened causing severe pain.  You may experience symptoms in one foot or both and it usually affects the nerve between the third and fourth toes. The second and third toes can also be affected.

You may experience pain from Morton's neuroma at any time but symptoms usually present in middle-aged women and runners. This may be due to choice in footwear causing pressure on the foot.

Treatment for Morton's neuroma will be dependent upon the severity of the condition and how long you have been experiencing symptoms. Your consultant will advise you of the most appropriate treatment pathway for you based on your symptoms.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.

All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals.

Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.

You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.

For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.

Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.

We understand that any medical procedure can be a cause of anxiety – even if it’s relatively straightforward. That’s why our experienced and caring medical staff with be there for you every step of the way.

We will offer surgical treatment for Morton’s neuroma if you are struggling with very severe pain or if other treatments haven’t been successful. 

A Morton’s neuroma operation will usually be carried out under a general anaesthetic. During the procedure an incision will be made on your foot to allow the surgeon to access to the affected nerve. Your surgeon will then remove some of the tissue surrounding the nerve or remove part of the nerve. If it is necessary to remove part of the nerve, the area between your toes will be permanently numb.

After the procedure you will be taken from the operating theatre to a recover room, where you will come round from the anaesthesia under close supervision. 

After this, you will be taken to your room or comfortable area where you can rest and recuperate until we feel you’re ready to go home.

Following the procedure, you will need to wear a special shoe to protect your foot until the affected area has healed. You will be encouraged to walk on the foot from the day of surgery however; crutches may be needed and are available if required. A full recovery may take a few months.

The wounds must be kept dry until the stitches are removed.

Even after you’ve left the hospital we’re still looking after you every step of the way. If you have any questions or concerns, we’re here to help so please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.