Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMorton’s NeuromaPinched NerveTarsal Tunnel SyndromeDiabetic Peripheral NeuropathyHerniated DiscSpinal StenosisOther CausesWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Morton’s Neuroma
Pinched Nerve
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Herniated Disc
Spinal Stenosis
Other Causes
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Nerve pain in the foot can feel like aburning, shooting, “electrical,” or stabbing pain. It may occur on the top of the foot or through the arch. These sensations can happen while you’re moving or while you’re at rest. Sometimes, even the area closest to the nerve will be sensitive to the touch.
This article will discuss the most common nerve-related causes of foot pain and how to recognize them. It also addresses some other common causes.
Verywell / JR Bee
Morton’s neuromainvolves a thickening of the nerve that runs between the third and fourth toes, though it can sometimes occur between the second and third toes. Typical symptoms include a burning or shooting pain in this area, most often while walking.
Another common symptom is a vague feeling of pressure beneath the toes, as if a sock was bunched up underneath them.
Common treatments include:
Typical shoe modifications include lifts, orthotics with metatarsal pads, and rocker soles, which provide cushion where it’s needed.
A few things increase your risk of developing Morton’s neuroma:
Morton’s neuroma occurs more frequently in women. A possible explanation is that many women wear high-heeled shoes.
Apinched nerve, known as nerve entrapment, can occur in various regions of the foot. Trauma—from swelling, blunt impact, or even a tight shoe—is the most likely cause.
A pinched nerve can feel like shooting or burning pain. Or the surrounding area on top of the foot may feel sensitive.
Pinched nerves in the feet are treated much like Morton’s neuromas. Rest, wearing roomier shoes, and anti-inflammatory medications may also help.
You’re more likely to develop a pinched nerve in your foot if you:
Another common type of nerve entrapment is tarsal tunnel syndrome. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), tarsal tunnel syndrome is “anything that produces compression on the posterior tibial nerve.”
The tibial nerve is located near the heel. And the burning, tingling, or shooting sensations often radiate from the instep (arch).
Other symptoms include numbness and foot cramps. Both can worsen while the foot is at rest, such as when you’re sitting or sleeping.
Twin ConditionsThere’s a good reason that tarsal tunnel syndrome sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the wrist. Both conditions involve a nerve being squeezed in a tight space.
Twin Conditions
There’s a good reason that tarsal tunnel syndrome sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the wrist. Both conditions involve a nerve being squeezed in a tight space.
Sometimes, placing padding in a shoe (where the foot is being compressed) can relieve foot pain. Other times, more elaborate orthotics are necessary. Orthotics are prescription medical devices that you place inside your shoes.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome often recedes with cortisone shots or other anti-inflammatory treatments. As a worst-case scenario, surgery may be necessary to release the nerve.
Conditions that compress the tibial nerve can lead to tarsal tunnel syndrome. Examples include:
The long-term high blood sugar (glucose) associated withdiabetescan lead to a form of nerve damage. This is known asperipheral neuropathy.
Like other forms of nerve damage, neuropathy pain feels like burning or shooting pain, or the sensation that you are walking on bubble wrap. It often appears overnight.
It’s estimated that around half of those with diabetes will eventually develop neuropathy.
Treatments for diabetic neuropathy include:
If you have diabetes, you are at higher risk for developing peripheral neuropathy if:
Best Home Remedies for Neuropathy in Feet
A herniated disc will usually cause additional symptoms such as muscle weakness in the legs and/or numbness and tingling.
Most herniated discs don’t require surgery and get better with conservative treatment over time.If the symptoms don’t improve or worsen, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery.
Herniated discs can happen to anyone, but they are most common in young adults and middle-aged adults. You may be more likely to get a herniated disc if:
Herniated Disc Surgery: Overview
Spinal stenosis in the lower back may cause burning pain in the buttocks and leg. As it progresses, you may feel pain in your feet. Some people also experience numbness and tingling.
Spinal stenosis is usually treated nonsurgically with physical therapy exercises and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs).Some people may also benefit from cortisone injections. If the condition interferes with your quality of life, surgery may also be an option.
Risk factors for spinal stenosis include:
What to Expect from Spinal Stenosis Physical Therapy
Other Causes of Foot Nerve Pain
Other conditions can spawn nerve damage and the ensuing pain. Some examples include:
Nerve pain in the foot is always a reason to see a healthcare provider. Early diagnosis and treatment may help prevent symptom progression and future disability. Once the cause of your pain has been identified, you and your healthcare provider can work together to control your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Call your healthcare provider right away if:
Summary
A number of different conditions can cause nerve pain in the foot, including Morton’s neuroma, tarsal tunnel syndrome, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a herniated disc, or a pinched nerve. Nerve problems often trigger burning or shooting pain.
See your healthcare provider right away if the pain and related symptoms get worse, or if you have trouble standing or walking.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gougoulias N, Lampridis V, Sakellariou A.Morton’s interdigital neuroma: instructional review.EFORT Open Rev.2019;4(1):14-24. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.4.180025Chari B, McNally E.Nerve entrapment in ankle and foot: ultrasound imaging.Semin Musculoskelet Radiol.2018;22(3):354-363. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1648252American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.Tarsal tunnel syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and nerve damage.Feldman EL, Callaghan BC, Pop-Busui R, et al.Diabetic neuropathy.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2019;5(1):42. doi:10.1038/s41572-019-0097-9Yoon WW, Koch J.Herniated discs: When is surgery necessary?EFORT Open Rev. 2021;6(6):526-30. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.6.210020Lurie J, Tomkins-Lane C.Management of lumbar spinal stenosis.BMJ. 2016;352:h6234. doi:10.1136/bmj.h6234Staff NP, Windebank AJ.Peripheral neuropathy due to vitamin deficiency, toxins, and medications.Continuum (Minneap Minn).2014;20(5 Peripheral Nervous System Disorders):1293-306. doi:10.1212/01.CON.0000455880.06675.5aUniversity of Utah Health.Foot injuries: when to see a doctor.Additional ReadingHovaguimian A, Gibbons CH.Clinical approach to the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2011;2(1):27-38National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy fact sheet. NIH.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gougoulias N, Lampridis V, Sakellariou A.Morton’s interdigital neuroma: instructional review.EFORT Open Rev.2019;4(1):14-24. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.4.180025Chari B, McNally E.Nerve entrapment in ankle and foot: ultrasound imaging.Semin Musculoskelet Radiol.2018;22(3):354-363. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1648252American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.Tarsal tunnel syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and nerve damage.Feldman EL, Callaghan BC, Pop-Busui R, et al.Diabetic neuropathy.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2019;5(1):42. doi:10.1038/s41572-019-0097-9Yoon WW, Koch J.Herniated discs: When is surgery necessary?EFORT Open Rev. 2021;6(6):526-30. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.6.210020Lurie J, Tomkins-Lane C.Management of lumbar spinal stenosis.BMJ. 2016;352:h6234. doi:10.1136/bmj.h6234Staff NP, Windebank AJ.Peripheral neuropathy due to vitamin deficiency, toxins, and medications.Continuum (Minneap Minn).2014;20(5 Peripheral Nervous System Disorders):1293-306. doi:10.1212/01.CON.0000455880.06675.5aUniversity of Utah Health.Foot injuries: when to see a doctor.Additional ReadingHovaguimian A, Gibbons CH.Clinical approach to the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2011;2(1):27-38National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy fact sheet. NIH.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gougoulias N, Lampridis V, Sakellariou A.Morton’s interdigital neuroma: instructional review.EFORT Open Rev.2019;4(1):14-24. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.4.180025Chari B, McNally E.Nerve entrapment in ankle and foot: ultrasound imaging.Semin Musculoskelet Radiol.2018;22(3):354-363. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1648252American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.Tarsal tunnel syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and nerve damage.Feldman EL, Callaghan BC, Pop-Busui R, et al.Diabetic neuropathy.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2019;5(1):42. doi:10.1038/s41572-019-0097-9Yoon WW, Koch J.Herniated discs: When is surgery necessary?EFORT Open Rev. 2021;6(6):526-30. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.6.210020Lurie J, Tomkins-Lane C.Management of lumbar spinal stenosis.BMJ. 2016;352:h6234. doi:10.1136/bmj.h6234Staff NP, Windebank AJ.Peripheral neuropathy due to vitamin deficiency, toxins, and medications.Continuum (Minneap Minn).2014;20(5 Peripheral Nervous System Disorders):1293-306. doi:10.1212/01.CON.0000455880.06675.5aUniversity of Utah Health.Foot injuries: when to see a doctor.
Gougoulias N, Lampridis V, Sakellariou A.Morton’s interdigital neuroma: instructional review.EFORT Open Rev.2019;4(1):14-24. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.4.180025
Chari B, McNally E.Nerve entrapment in ankle and foot: ultrasound imaging.Semin Musculoskelet Radiol.2018;22(3):354-363. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1648252
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.Tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and nerve damage.
Feldman EL, Callaghan BC, Pop-Busui R, et al.Diabetic neuropathy.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2019;5(1):42. doi:10.1038/s41572-019-0097-9
Yoon WW, Koch J.Herniated discs: When is surgery necessary?EFORT Open Rev. 2021;6(6):526-30. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.6.210020
Lurie J, Tomkins-Lane C.Management of lumbar spinal stenosis.BMJ. 2016;352:h6234. doi:10.1136/bmj.h6234
Staff NP, Windebank AJ.Peripheral neuropathy due to vitamin deficiency, toxins, and medications.Continuum (Minneap Minn).2014;20(5 Peripheral Nervous System Disorders):1293-306. doi:10.1212/01.CON.0000455880.06675.5a
University of Utah Health.Foot injuries: when to see a doctor.
Hovaguimian A, Gibbons CH.Clinical approach to the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2011;2(1):27-38National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy fact sheet. NIH.
Hovaguimian A, Gibbons CH.Clinical approach to the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2011;2(1):27-38
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy fact sheet. NIH.
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