Morton's neuroma causes burning, sharp forefoot pain and the nagging feeling of walking on a pebble or folded sock. If you've tried orthotics, shoe changes, and injections without lasting relief, Shockwave Therapy offers a non-surgical path forward that works on the irritated tissue directly. We treat Morton's neuroma in Edmond and throughout the OKC metro.
Morton's neuroma is a thickening of the tissue around a nerve that runs between the metatarsal bones in the ball of your foot. It most commonly develops between the third and fourth toes. The nerve becomes irritated and the surrounding tissue thickens in response, creating the characteristic burning, tingling, or sharp pain in the forefoot.
The "pebble in the shoe" description is one of the most consistent things patients report. The sensation of something being in the shoe, even when there's nothing there, comes from the thickened nerve being compressed with each step. Tight shoes, high heels, and forefoot-loading activity all make it worse. Removing shoes and massaging the foot typically provides temporary relief.
Most people try footwear changes and orthotics first, and those help some patients enough. When the condition has been present for months or when it keeps returning, the tissue around the nerve has usually been irritated long enough that more direct treatment is warranted. That's where Shockwave Therapy fits.
These symptoms overlap with other forefoot conditions. A clinical evaluation determines whether Morton's neuroma is the source before any treatment is recommended.
Shockwave therapy uses high-energy acoustic pressure waves delivered through a handheld applicator pressed against the skin. For Morton's neuroma, the applicator is directed at the affected intermetatarsal space, the area between the metatarsal bones where the nerve is being compressed and irritated.
The acoustic waves reduce pain signals from the irritated nerve, stimulate blood flow into an area that is typically poorly vascularized, and prompt the body's own repair response in the surrounding tissue. Published studies report reduced pain and improved function in Morton's neuroma patients following a course of shockwave therapy, though results vary by individual and by how long the condition has been present.
It's not a guaranteed solution and it's not surgery. What it offers is a non-invasive treatment mechanism that operates differently from orthotics, injections, and rest. For patients who have plateaued under those approaches, it represents a reasonable next step before considering surgical options. Class IV Laser Therapy may be combined when inflammation in the surrounding tissue is a significant part of the presentation. Individual results vary.
Individual results vary. Candidacy is determined after clinical evaluation.
We review your foot pain history, any prior treatment you've had, and assess the forefoot to confirm Morton's neuroma is the likely source. If imaging exists, bring it. If we need more information before proceeding, we'll tell you.
You receive a clear written plan with the number of sessions recommended and all pricing up front. Shockwave therapy is cash-pay. We offer per-session, package, and financing options.
Gel is applied to the bottom of the foot. The shockwave applicator is positioned precisely over the affected intermetatarsal space. Most patients feel a firm pulsing sensation. Intensity is adjusted to a level that's therapeutic but manageable. The application itself runs 10 to 15 minutes.
Mild tenderness at the treatment site for 24 to 48 hours is normal. Most patients return to normal activity the same day. Strenuous forefoot-loading exercise is best avoided for a day or two. Sessions are spaced approximately one week apart to allow the repair response to work between visits.
We assess your response at each session. If the therapy is working, you'll typically notice changes in pain and function during the course. When the session series is complete, we discuss any ongoing management that makes sense and whether Class IV Laser Therapy is worth continuing alongside it.
These are the questions we hear most often from patients considering this treatment. Call us or book a free evaluation if yours isn't here.
No obligation. We'll give you an honest answer about whether this fits your situation.
Most patients feel a firm pulsing or tapping sensation at the treatment site. The ball of the foot can be sensitive, so the intensity is started low and adjusted to a level you can tolerate. Mild soreness for a day or two after is normal. It's a sign the tissue is responding.
Most patients complete a course of 3 to 6 sessions spaced approximately one week apart. The exact number depends on how long the condition has been present and how the tissue responds to the first few sessions. Your provider reassesses progress along the way.
Shockwave therapy is a conservative, non-surgical option that is typically considered before surgery. It's not guaranteed to work for everyone, and in some cases surgery may ultimately be the right path. The goal is to give the tissue every reasonable non-surgical opportunity first. A clinical evaluation determines whether you're a good candidate.
No. Most patients return to normal activity the same day. We generally recommend avoiding intense foot-loading exercise for 24 to 48 hours after a session, but everyday walking and routine activity are fine.
Yes, for many patients. Orthotics reduce mechanical load on the forefoot but don't directly address the nerve irritation. Corticosteroid injections reduce inflammation temporarily but don't resolve the structural irritation around the nerve. Shockwave therapy works on the tissue itself through a different mechanism. Patients who haven't responded to those approaches often do respond to shockwave. Individual results vary.
A free evaluation lets our providers confirm the diagnosis, review your treatment history, and give you an honest answer about whether shockwave therapy fits your specific presentation and goals.
Individual results vary. Shockwave therapy for Morton's neuroma is recommended only after clinical evaluation and determination of candidacy. This page is informational and does not constitute medical advice.