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Morton's Neuroma surgery
- Rated ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ by 97% of orthopaedic patients*
- The no.1 in London for private orthopaedic care**
- Foot and ankle specialist consultants
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MORTON’S NEUROMA SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
With HCA UK you can be seen by a foot and ankle specialist in as little as 24 hours. If you need a scan, we’ll arrange it for the same day, using the latest imaging technology to rapidly and accurately diagnose your condition. You’ll be looked after by consultants who specialise in treating foot and ankle conditions, with the experience to tailor your treatment and in state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to your care. No wonder 97% of patients* are likely to recommend us to family and friends.
Morton’s neuroma is a foot condition affecting one of the nerves between your toes. Continual pressure on the nerve can cause a fluid filled sac which surrounds the nerve, called a bursa, to become inflamed and scarred, sticking to the nerve and leaving you with pain and numbness.
Morton's neuroma is inaccurately named, as a neuroma typically means a benign nerve tumour. But this is actually an inflammatory condition, also known as a Morton’s bursal complex.
Morton's neuroma is inaccurately named, as a neuroma typically means a benign nerve tumour. But this is actually an inflammatory condition, also known as a Morton’s bursal complex.
Our feet, like our hands, contain numerous nerves that supply our skin. The nerves between the toes are particularly sensitive and tightly bound by design with protective, cushioning bursa (fluid-filled sacs) surrounding the nerves to stop them from being compressed or pinched between the bones.
If your feet sustain any trauma, these nerves and bursa can become inflamed and scarred which results in a Morton’s bursal complex. More women more than men come to us with the condition, and it often develops mid-life, in our forties and fifties.
Wearing high heels or tight shoes regularly might be a contributing factor. Active people who engage in lots of high impact activities such as running are also predisposed to developing the condition.
If your feet sustain any trauma, these nerves and bursa can become inflamed and scarred which results in a Morton’s bursal complex. More women more than men come to us with the condition, and it often develops mid-life, in our forties and fifties.
Wearing high heels or tight shoes regularly might be a contributing factor. Active people who engage in lots of high impact activities such as running are also predisposed to developing the condition.
If you’re suffering from the condition, you’re likely to experience:
- Pain in the ball of your foot shooting into your toes
- The sensation of walking on a pebble or marble
- Tingling, burning or numbness in your toes
- Possibly some discomfort while wearing shoes
Your consultant will likely first suggest a range of non-surgical options such as changing your shoes, pain killers and massaging your foot.
If the pain doesn’t settle down and starts to impact your daily activities and quality of life, your consultant may recommend an injection of anti-inflammatory cortisone. This can be used for diagnostic purposes to help confirm the problem, but it can also have a therapeutic effect, stopping the pain.
If the diagnostic injection’s effects are short lived, your surgeon may recommend a relatively simple surgical procedure to release the damaged nerve, or to remove the damaged portion of it.
There are two types of surgery, to either free or remove the affected part of the nerve. Your consultant will discuss your options with you:
- Nerve decompression surgery, relieving pressure on the nerve by freeing it from tight structures. In 15% of cases, the scarring and symptoms can return.
- Nerve excision, removing the affected part of the nerve, which permanently gets rid of the pain but also leaves permanent numbness between your toes.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist foot and ankle consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
MORTON’S NEUROMA SURGERY PROCESS
What to expect
If you're experiencing pain or numbness in your foot that’s beginning to impact your quality of life, you’ll want a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. With HCA UK, you’re in trusted hands. Our specialists will ensure you get an accurate diagnosis, the right treatment and the excellent aftercare you need to help make a fast recovery.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve self-referred or have a referral from your GP, your consultant will always start with taking a thorough medical history, followed by a complete physical examination. They will be looking to rule out other conditions that may present with similar symptoms before confirming a diagnosis.
02
Investigations and diagnosis
Your consultant will most commonly book you in for an ultrasound to get a better picture of your inflamed nerve, and check that you don’t have an injury to your plantar plate, which can present with similar symptoms.
In some clinics this will be performed during the initial consultation and in others the results may be back within 48 hours. Your HCA UK team will also carry out an X-ray or MRI scan to rule out other problems that can mimic a Morton’s neuroma.
You may be offered a diagnostic injection delivering a local anaesthetic, like lidocaine, around the suspected nerve. In some circumstances you may be offered an anti-inflammatory cortisone, using ultrasound to accurately guide the needle. If this effectively relieves pain, it suggests that you do have a Morton's bursal complex.
In some clinics this will be performed during the initial consultation and in others the results may be back within 48 hours. Your HCA UK team will also carry out an X-ray or MRI scan to rule out other problems that can mimic a Morton’s neuroma.
You may be offered a diagnostic injection delivering a local anaesthetic, like lidocaine, around the suspected nerve. In some circumstances you may be offered an anti-inflammatory cortisone, using ultrasound to accurately guide the needle. If this effectively relieves pain, it suggests that you do have a Morton's bursal complex.
03
Treatment
If your consultant assesses that you need surgery, then this is usually performed as a day case under a general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will make a small cut on the top or bottom of your foot to access the affected nerve. They will then either increase the space around the nerve by removing some of the surrounding tissue or they will remove the impacted part of the nerve, which will leave that area between your toes permanently numb.
In some circumstances the surgery can be performed under local anaesthetic. Your surgeon will discuss what they feel is best for you in the clinic.
04
Aftercare
This procedure us usually carried out as a simple day case, so you’re unlikely to need to stay overnight in hospital. You'll be given painkillers to tackle any pain immediately following the surgery. You can usually walk soon after the operation, but it may take several weeks or even months to make a full recovery.
Where can I access Morton’s neuroma surgery?
You can access HCA UK’s specialist orthopaedic services in our renowned hospitals in London and Cheshire and in our flagship Birmingham hospital, The Harborne. Across hospitals and treatment centres, you’ll have access to some of the country’s most respected experts who can help, from initial consultation through to treatment and next steps.
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road Wilmslow SK9 1NY Cheshire
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
FAQs
We always recommend self-management approaches first, such as trying wider, better fitting shoes, pain killers and massaging your feet. You may also wish to see a podiatrist to look at having custom insoles made which can better support your feet.
If these measures don’t help, then we’d recommend you see one of our foot and ankle orthopaedic specialists to confirm the diagnosis and advise on the best option for you.
They will take a thorough history, conduct a detailed physical examination and order diagnostic tests to rule out other potential causes for your foot pain before making recommendations on the best treatment for you.
If these measures don’t help, then we’d recommend you see one of our foot and ankle orthopaedic specialists to confirm the diagnosis and advise on the best option for you.
They will take a thorough history, conduct a detailed physical examination and order diagnostic tests to rule out other potential causes for your foot pain before making recommendations on the best treatment for you.
Foot-wear modifications may help, including wearing insoles with a metatarsal bar, which is a bump in the middle of insole. These specialist insoles can be bought off the shelf, or you can see a podiatrist who can make custom insoles for you.
Several other self-management techniques may also help, including:
- Stretching exercises to keep your foot flexible
- Massage
- Ice therapy
- Painkillers
Yes, this procedure is usually undertaken as a day case. You’re unlikely to need to stay overnight in hospital.
You’ll be given painkillers and can usually walk soon after the operation. However, it will usually take several weeks, or even months, to make a full recovery.
Our patients’ foot stories
Marinella’s story: Looking through the keyhole at bunions and foot health
For finance professional, Marinella, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, ongoing pain in her feet and a change in their appearance prompted her to seek answers
Glynis is bowled over by her new ankle
A 42-year-old Glynis was enjoying a night out, on the dancefloor of a London hotel. All was well, but one tiny movement was about to have a huge impact on her life.
Esteban’s lucky break: How ankle surgery saved a life
The 24th June, 2022 started just like any other Sunday for Esteban. He was in his garden, trying to avoid the volley of Nerf bullets his cousins were aiming at him as they played in the warm summer sun.
“...was able to get my foot from barely any movement to back to pretty much full mobility.”
Reviewed by
*Based on our 2024 orthopaedic patient satisfaction surveys at HCA UK hospitals
**Based on private orthopaedic volumes as reported by PHIN (Private Healthcare Information Network)
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.