The main symptoms are pain and/or numbness, sometimes relieved by ceasing to wear footwear with tight toe boxes and high heels (which have been linked to the condition).

[citation needed] There are other causes of pain in the forefoot that often lead to miscategorization as neuroma, such as capsulitis, which is an inflammation of ligaments that surround two bones at the level of the joint.

Additionally, an intermetatarsal bursitis between the third and fourth metatarsal bones will also give neuroma-type symptoms because it too puts pressure on the nerve.

Ultrasound (sonography) accurately demonstrates thickening of the interdigital nerve within the web space of greater than 3mm, diagnostic of a Morton's neuroma.

MRI can distinguish conditions that mimic the symptoms of Morton's neuroma, but when more than one abnormality exists, ultrasound has the added advantage of determining the precise source of the patient's pain by applying direct pressure with the probe.

In addition to traditional orthotic arch supports, a small foam or fabric pad may be positioned under the space between the two affected metatarsals, immediately behind the bone ends.

To prevent or treat Morton's neuroma, comfortable shoes that are sufficiently long and have a wide toe box, flat heel, and thick sole are recommended.

For some patients, however, the inflammation and pain recur after some weeks or months, and corticosteroids may only be used a limited number of times because they cause progressive degeneration of ligamentous and tendinous tissues.

If done with more concentrated alcohol under ultrasound guidance, the success rate is considerably higher and fewer repeat procedures are needed.

[20] If non-surgical interventions fail, patients are commonly offered neurectomy, a surgery that involves removing the affected piece of nerve tissue.

Alternatively, making the incision from the ventral side (the sole of the foot) allows more direct access to the affected nerve without cutting other structures.

[citation needed] When a patient has multiple neuromas in the same foot, the most common surgical approach is to remove them all using a single incision.

[24] An increasing range of procedures are being performed at specialist centers to treat Morton's neuroma[10][17] under ultrasound guidance.