Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
Last reviewed: May 2026
Morton’s neuroma near Novi has a size threshold that determines whether two cortisone injections will work or whether you’ll need a more advanced approach — and most patients aren’t told this upfront. Neuromas under 5mm respond well to conservative care; neuromas over 8mm rarely do. Call (810) 206-1402 for ultrasound evaluation and targeted Morton’s neuroma treatment.
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM · Board-Certified Podiatrist · Balance Foot & Ankle PLLC · Updated 2026
Morton’s Neuroma Treatment Near Novi, MI
Morton’s neuroma treatment near Novi, MI is available at Balance Foot & Ankle in Bloomfield Hills. Dr. Biernacki DPM performs Mulder’s click test to confirm the diagnosis, distinguishes neuroma from stress fracture and plantar plate tear, and provides cortisone injections, sclerosing alcohol series, or neurectomy for refractory cases. Call (810) 206-1402.
The “Pebble in Your Shoe” Sensation: Diagnosing Morton’s Neuroma Correctly
Morton’s neuroma — perineural fibrosis around the common digital nerve between metatarsal heads — produces a characteristic burning, tingling, or sharp pain in the ball of the foot, classically between the 3rd and 4th toes, worse in narrow shoes and heels, relieved by removing the shoe and massaging the foot. The pathognomonic test: Mulder’s click — mediolateral compression of the metatarsal heads while palpating the interspace produces a palpable or audible click as the fibrotic nerve tissue subluxes. But the two most common misdiagnoses that present identically: stress fracture (focal bone tenderness directly on the metatarsal shaft, worse with loading, positive with tuning fork vibration test) and plantar plate tear (positive MTP drawer test — dorsal subluxation of the toe >2mm — often with toe deviation, frequently seen in patients with “failed neuroma injections”). In our Novi-area practice, patients who haven’t responded to 2+ cortisone injections consistently benefit from ultrasound evaluation — the ultrasound drawer test distinguishes plantar plate disruption from neuroma with high accuracy.
Key Takeaway: Mulder’s click = neuroma. Failed 2+ injections = re-evaluate with ultrasound for plantar plate tear. Conservative (wider shoes + pad + injection) resolves 70–80%. Neurectomy for refractory cases: 85–90% satisfaction, permanent web space numbness (expected outcome, not a complication). Stump neuroma is the main risk — minimized by adequate nerve resection proximal to the metatarsal heads.
Treatment: Conservative to Surgical
Footwear modification: Wider toe box, avoid heels >2 inches. Most effective first step. Metatarsal pad: Placed just proximal to metatarsal heads — spreads the forefoot, decompresses the nerve. Cortisone injection: 2–3 injections, ultrasound-guided, effective in ~70%. Sclerosing alcohol series: 4–7 dilute alcohol injections — scleroses nerve, avoids steroid side effects, 60–80% pain reduction. Neurectomy: Dorsal incision, immediate weight-bearing in surgical shoe, 85–90% satisfaction, permanent web space numbness is expected and acceptable.
⚠️ See a Podiatrist If:
- Burning or tingling between toes, especially 3rd/4th interspace, worse in shoes
- 2+ cortisone injections without lasting relief — re-evaluate for plantar plate tear
- Numbness in adjacent toes — large neuroma compressing nerve
- Pain at rest or at night — atypical, investigate other diagnoses
- Toe deviating or crossing over — plantar plate tear, not neuroma
Morton’s Neuroma Relief Products
Conservative products that reduce intermetatarsal nerve pressure — the source of burning and tingling in Morton’s neuroma:
Pedag Metatarsal Pad — Best for Morton’s Neuroma
A metatarsal pad placed just behind the ball of the foot spreads the metatarsal heads apart, relieving the compressive force on the interdigital nerve that causes neuroma pain. Placement is critical — positioned correctly, many patients get immediate significant relief. I use the Pedag leather-top version in our custom orthotics and recommend the adhesive version for shoes without removable insoles.
HOKA Bondi 8 — Maximum Cushion, Wide Toe Box
The Bondi 8’s maximalist cushioning reduces the ground impact load transmitted through the forefoot — the primary mechanical trigger for neuroma flare-ups. Combined with a relatively wide toe box and rocker bottom (which reduces toe dorsiflexion that compresses the nerve space), it’s the walking shoe I recommend most for Morton’s neuroma patients who need to stay active.
OrthoInfo – AAOS: Morton’s Neuroma
Getting to Our Office From Novi
Our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 is about 20 minutes from Novi via I-96 E to M-1 (Woodward Ave). We accept most major insurance. Call (810) 206-1402 or book online.
Ball-of-Foot Pain? Get a Morton’s Neuroma Evaluation
Balance Foot & Ankle · Serving Novi & Michigan
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📋 Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS answers:
Morton neuroma near Novi is treated with a step-wise approach starting with the most conservative options. Our podiatrist serving Novi begins with wider footwear, metatarsal pads, and custom orthotics to reduce compression on the interdigital nerve. Corticosteroid injections provide significant relief for many patients and can be repeated as needed. Sclerosing alcohol injection series is another effective non-surgical option. If conservative measures fail after several months, surgical neurectomy — removal of the thickened nerve tissue — is performed as an outpatient procedure with excellent long-term results. Most patients near Novi experience substantial improvement without surgery. We also evaluate biomechanical factors that contribute to nerve irritation and address them to prevent recurrence.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.