Morton's Neuroma
This condition can be tricky to identify because there is no visible sign or symptom of it. Morton’s neuroma is the thickening of tissue adjacent to a nerve inside your foot. The thicker this tissue becomes, the more pressure it places on the nerve, eventually causing irritation and pain between the third and fourth toes.
Usually as this condition develops, the patient feels a tingling between the toes that evolves to shooting pain at the ball of the foot and at the base of the toes. Some patients describe the feeling of a pebble in their shoe or their sock becoming bunched inside their shoe. The pain is frequently worse when walking.
Morton’s neuroma most often occurs in people with flat feet, overly high arches, or deformities such as hammer toes. Those who frequently wear high heeled shoes may also be more susceptible because of the pressure this footwear puts on the balls of the feet. Those engaged in activities that create high impact or stress on the toes and the balls of the feet, such as running, tennis and rock climbing, may also be more likely to experience Morton’s neuroma.