Why are my toes numb?

Morton's neuroma is when the nerve that travels between the metatarsals (bones in the ball of your foot) becomes impinged causing pain and occasional numbness/tingling. It most commonly happens to the nerve travelling between the third and fourth metatarsals.

Causes

• Poor-fitting footwear (narrow toe boxes) causing too much pressure on the metatarsals
• High arch foot type resulting in significant pressure on the joints of the forefoot
• Flat feet that spread significantly and require wider-fitting shoes
• Toe deformities (bunions, hammer/claw toes) that result in increased pressure 

Symptoms

• Numbness/tingling in the space between the 3rd and 4th metatarsals
• "Wadded sock" sensation when wearing shoes 
• Pain in the forefoot during activity (standing, walking, running)
• Shooting pain (at times very sharp) into the toes

Treatment

• Wear better-fitting shoes. Always measure your foot length and width when buying shoes, and if necessary, get a wider toe box to accommodate your feet. Rocker soled footwear can also be helpful
• Reduce the activity that seems to increase the pain until you have treated the cause of the problem
• Use custom-foot orthotics to help distribute weight evenly throughout the forefoot. Metatarsal support is crucial and can be achieved with metatarsal pads 
• Pain meds or injections of cortico-steroids
• Physical therapy 
• Surgery 

Note: It is always important to consult with your physician before deciding on a treatment approach.