Morton's Neuroma
Quick summary
Burning pain between the toes? Ultrasound-guided injections and alcohol ablation in Oxford for Morton's neuroma.
Morton's neuroma is a benign thickening of an interdigital nerve, typically between the third and fourth metatarsal heads. It produces the sensation of a pebble in the shoe with sharp electric pain into the toes.
Key takeaways
- Burning pain between the toes? Ultrasound-guided injections and alcohol ablation in Oxford for Morton's neuroma.
- Diagnosed with in-clinic ultrasound alongside clinical examination.
- Treated with a stepped, evidence-based plan — not one-size-fits-all injections.
- Self-referral available — no GP letter required.
Symptoms
- Sharp, burning or electric pain in the forefoot
- Sensation of a pebble under the ball of the foot
- Numbness or tingling in the affected toes
- Worse in tight footwear, relieved by taking shoes off
Causes & risk factors
- Compression of the interdigital nerve
- Narrow or high-heeled footwear
- Splayed forefoot, hallux valgus
Who is most at risk
- Women, particularly those wearing narrow high-heeled footwear
- High-impact repetitive forefoot loading
- Foot deformity (bunion, hammer toe)
Differential diagnosis
Conditions that can mimic Morton's Neuroma.
- Metatarsalgia
- Metatarsal stress fracture
- Freiberg's disease
- Plantar plate injury
How we diagnose Morton's Neuroma
Ultrasound is the imaging investigation of choice — highly sensitive for neuromas >5 mm and superior to MRI in the small web space.
Treatment options
Ultrasound-guided steroid injection
First-line for symptomatic neuromas. Delivered precisely into the web space to avoid fat-pad atrophy.
Alcohol sclerosis (dehydrating ablation)
Series of guided alcohol injections chemically ablate the neuroma; useful for recurrent cases.
Footwear and orthotic advice
Wide toe box, metatarsal dome — often sufficient in mild cases.
Surgical excision
For refractory cases; associated with small risk of stump neuroma.
What we look for on ultrasound
Hypoechoic ovoid mass in the intermetatarsal space, positive Mulder's sign on dynamic scanning.
When to seek help
Book if forefoot pain is limiting walking distance or occurring most days — early guided injection can defer surgery indefinitely.
Recovery timeline
Typical timeframes after diagnosis and treatment. Individual recovery varies — your clinician will personalise this plan.
- 1Week 0–2Post-injection
Rapid pain relief; wide toe-box shoes and a metatarsal dome.
- 2Week 2–8Follow-up
Reassess. Second guided injection or alcohol ablation series if symptoms return.
- 3Month 3+Surgery consideration
Surgical excision reserved for cases unresponsive to conservative and injection therapy.
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Related conditions we treat
Explore other musculoskeletal conditions assessed and treated at the clinic.
- Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
- Rotator Cuff Injury
- Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder
- Hip Osteoarthritis
- Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
- Knee Osteoarthritis
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylalgia)
- Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylalgia)
- Trigger Finger
- Thumb Base (CMC) Arthritis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis
Related symptom guides
Patient-friendly guides that describe how foot & ankle problems typically present.
- Heel Pain With the First Step in the MorningSharp heel pain on the first steps out of bed is the classic sign of plantar fasciitis. Learn the causes and evidence-based treatments in Oxford.
- Pain in the Ball of the Foot — Morton's Neuroma & MorePain, burning or the sense of a pebble under the ball of the foot is often Morton's neuroma. Learn how ultrasound diagnoses and treats it.
- Achilles Pain When Running — Diagnosis & TreatmentAching or sharp Achilles pain during or after running is most often mid-portion or insertional tendinopathy. Learn how ultrasound diagnoses it and how it is treated.
Related treatments
Ultrasound-guided procedures we use to treat musculoskeletal conditions.
Morton's Neuroma assessment & treatment across Oxfordshire
We treat morton's neuroma patients from across Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties. Two hours of free parking is available directly at the clinic in Botley, OX2.
How we make treatment decisions
Every recommendation at Oxford Injection Clinic is shaped by current UK guidance — including NICE recommendations for musculoskeletal pain, published NHS guidance on injection therapy, and peer-reviewed evidence from British and international MSK medicine journals. We follow a stepped-care model: accurate diagnosis first (clinical examination and diagnostic ultrasound), conservative measures where appropriate, and image-guided injection or referral only when clinically indicated. Consultant physiotherapist Bob Chandran reviews the latest MSK literature and updates our clinical protocols routinely.
Further reading
Recognised UK and international clinical guidance relevant to Morton's Neuroma.
Frequently asked questions
Do injections cure Morton's neuroma?
Around 50–60% get lasting relief from steroid; alcohol ablation improves that to 80% in refractory cases.
Book a consultation for morton's neuroma
Consultant physiotherapist Bob Chandran (Boobala Chandran Subramanian) leads every clinic. Self-refer today.
Getting here
Easy to reach — and easy to park
We're in Elms Parade, Botley, just a few minutes from Oxford city centre with excellent transport links.
Free parking
2 hours free, right outside
Park directly in front of the clinic in the Elms Parade car park — 2 hours free for patients, no app or ticket needed for short visits.
From Oxford Railway Station
Approx. 1.5 miles (8 min by taxi, 20 min walk). Head west on Botley Road, continue straight across the A34 flyover into Westway, then turn right into Elms Parade.
Nearest bus stop
Elms Parade (Stop B1) — directly outside the clinic. Served by routes 4, 4A, 4B and 4C from Oxford city centre (every 10–15 min).
By car
Junction 8/9 of the A34, exit toward Botley. Postcode OX2 9LG for sat-nav.
Expert MSK care in Oxford
Oxford Injection Clinic is the specialist musculoskeletal service of GB Clinic Oxford, an independent physiotherapy and interventional MSK clinic based in Botley. Our consultants and advanced practitioners assess, scan and treat the full spectrum of joint, tendon, ligament and nerve problems — from acute sports injuries to long-standing arthritis. Every clinician is HCPC-registered and holds post-graduate qualifications in diagnostic ultrasound, injection therapy or advanced musculoskeletal practice.
We believe the fastest route to recovery is an accurate diagnosis on day one. That is why every consultation includes a full history, a hands-on clinical examination and, where useful, a real-time high-resolution ultrasound scan. If an ultrasound-guided injection is likely to help, we can usually perform it in the same visit — no separate trips, no waiting weeks for imaging.
Evidence-based, patient-led
Not everyone needs an injection. Our clinicians follow NICE, BOA and international best-practice guidance to decide when injections, shockwave therapy, hydrodilatation, barbotage or a structured loading programme is the right next step. Where surgery is genuinely the best option we say so, and we can refer to trusted orthopaedic and pain specialists across Oxford, London and the Thames Valley.
Patients travel to see us from Botley, Summertown, Headington, Cowley, Iffley, Abingdon, Witney, Kidlington, Bicester, Didcot, Wallingford, Wantage, Wheatley, Thame, Woodstock, Chipping Norton, Banbury, Henley-on-Thames and Reading. Same-day appointments, evening slots and Saturday clinics are usually available, and free on-street parking is right outside the clinic.