Best Products for Morton’s Neuroma in 2023

Morton’s neuroma causes pain in the ball of the foot, between the metatarsal bones, or the knuckles of the foot. It happens more often between the 3rd and 4th toe knuckles, but it can happen anywhere on the ball of the foot.

Have you had a look at the best products for Morton’s neuroma relief? Buying some of these may help relieve your pain and help you get back to your everyday life.

We’re reviewing metatarsal pads, sleeves, and inserts that are designed to take away pain and help your foot stay in the right position.

Top 3 Best and Favorites

 

Mars Wellness Felt Foot Pads

 

  • Wider metatarsal pad
  • Contoured edges
  • Made from soft felt
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Brison Breathable Forefoot Pads

 

  • Slips over toe
  • One-size transparent foot pads
  • Adapts to your foot shape
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PowerStep Pinnacle Plus

 

  • Built-in metatarsal support
  • Antimicrobial top fabric
  • Heel cradle
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Pads

Best Overall Pads for Morton’s Neuroma

1. Mars Wellness Felt Foot Pads

These metatarsal pads are designed to relieve pain in the ball of the foot so you can go about your daily activities without your feet aching. They’re made from soft felt, and they’re 2.5 x 2.75 inches in size, and ¼ inch thick.

The pads are wide enough to cover a good-sized area of your foot. There’s a layer of gel inside the felt padding, which absorbs impact when your foot lands and helps prevent pain. The edges of the pad are contoured so it fits comfortably and doesn’t feel too unnatural.

You’ll find an adhesive back, which is meant to be stuck to your foot directly underneath the fleshy ball of your foot. You can leave it there once it’s on, and it should last for a few days as long as you don’t get it wet.

Or, you can stick it directly onto the inside of your shoe. It could last a bit longer here, but the adhesive may not stick as well.

There are 12 pads in one packet, and you can use two at a time or just one, if your pain is only on one foot. They’re suitable for both left and right feet.

It may take some practice to find the best spot to place them. Everybody’s feet are different and you might need to wear yours a little higher or lower than is recommended to get the best pain relief.

Also, be aware that if you use these in open shoes they may get dirty quickly.

PROS:

  • Wider metatarsal pad
  • Contoured edges
  • Made from soft felt
  • Adhesive back

CONS:

  • Those who wish to stick the pad in their shoe may find that the adhesive doesn’t stick well
 

Top Silicon Pads

2. Zucnana Forefoot Cushion Pads

If you prefer something more sturdy than felt pads, try these silicon pads. They are made from medical-grade soft silicone gel, which is comfortable and durable.

They are 2.68 inches x 3.35 inches in size, and 0.24 inches thick in the middle of the pad. When you buy these pads, you will get 6 pairs—2 clear, 2 black, and 2 beige. This is great as you can match them to your shoes, especially if you’re wearing open shoes, so it looks natural.

The thin cover on the black and beige pads wicks away moisture so your feet can stay dry. The clear pads may not do the same, as they have no covering.

These pads are designed to stick to the inner sole of your shoe. Clean your shoe first, and then place the pad in the shoe so that it sits with the gel cushion just underneath the ball of your foot. It may take a little bit of time to find the sweet spot.

Some people may have an allergic reaction to silicone so it’s a good idea to check first if your skin reacts badly before buying these.

If for any reason you don’t like these metatarsal pads, the company will give you a full refund, no questions asked.

PROS:

  • Made from medical-grade silicone gel
  • Moisture-wicking upper
  • One size fits all
  • Easy to apply

CONS:

  • Some people may have an allergic reaction to silicone
 

Best Pads for High Heels

3. Dooxas Ball of Foot and Heel Cushions for High Heels

These metatarsal pads have been designed specifically for women to wear with high heels.

The unique shape and wider size of these metatarsal pads help to distribute pressure evenly across the ball of the foot, preventing targeted pain. There are four different types of pads in this pack, three for the ball of the foot and one for the heel.

Two of the four types of pads are see-through so you can put it on your shoe and it won’t look like it doesn’t belong there.

The other two (including the heel pad) are neutral colors that won’t stand out too much. All of them are shock-absorbing, washable, and long-lasting.

The shock-absorbing material is PU gel, and the neutral-colored pads have a moisture-wicking material coating.

If the insert is too big to fit comfortably inside your shoe, you can simply cut it to size.

Some people may find these inserts difficult to position correctly inside closed heels.

PROS:

  • Four insert types
  • Wider pad
  • Designed for high heels
  • 90-day money-back guarantee

CONS:

  • Some may find it difficult to place these in the right position inside closed heels or boots
 

Sleeves

Best Overall Sleeves for Morton’s Neuroma

4. Brison Metatarsal Pads Set

If you don’t like having a metatarsal pad under your foot, then you may prefer a metatarsal sleeve. This sleeve is made from soft gel and slips over your toes to cushion the ball of your foot.

It may feel a bit less intrusive than a metatarsal pad which you need to stick to your shoe. You can slip this on when you put your shoe on and take it off when you remove your shoe, or you can keep it on under your socks or even barefoot to offer some support to the ball of your foot.

The sleeve is made from medical-grade silicone, so make sure you don’t have an allergy to silicone before you wear this. It slips easily onto your foot and molds to the shape of your foot for the best comfort.

The sleeve comes in only one size. It is stretchy, so it should fit most feet, but there’s always a chance that some people struggle to get it to fit.

PROS:

  • Made from medical grade silicone
  • Slips over toe
  • One-size transparent foot pads
  • Adapts to your foot shape

CONS:

  • One-size-fits-all may not fit all feet
 

Most Comfortable Sleeves

5. RooRuns Metatarsal Pads Sleeve

Even though we are all used to wearing socks, sometimes it can feel strange to wear a metatarsal sleeve over the front of your foot.

These sleeves are the most comfortable ones that will make you forget you’re even wearing them.

They’re made from soft, stretchy material that is easy to stretch over your foot and hugs it tightly, providing a subtle pressure that helps to relieve pain. There is gel cushioning inside the material that spreads out when force is placed on it, so it helps to disperse pressure evenly across your foot and absorbs shock.

You can slip them over your big toe so that they don’t slide down when you’re walking. Some people may find that the sleeve moves uncomfortably when they walk, especially if they aren’t wearing socks.

They are also washable, so you can use and reuse them as many times as you like.

PROS:

  • Soft elastic sleeve
  • Embedded soft biogel
  • Easy on and off
  • Easy to wash and reuse

CONS:

  • Some may find that the sleeve tends to move when you’re walking
 

Best Cushioned Sleeves

6. Dr. Frederick’s Original Open Toes Metatarsal Sleeves Plus

If you need extra cushioning, these sleeves may be the right ones for you. They fit easily over your toes to make them form-fitting and breathable at the same time.

These metatarsal sleeves are made from soft biodegradable TPE and have perforations called BreatheEase vents so that the material doesn’t cause your feet to sweat.

They’re designed to hug the ball of your foot so there’s no extra material that could cause discomfort or hotspots. You may even forget that you’re wearing them.

This version of the pads have 50 percent more cushioning than the previous one. They are designed for all-day use so you can get through your day without feeling the pain of Morton’s neuroma.

PROS:

  • Form-fitting metatarsal pad
  • BreatheEase vents
  • Made from biodegradable TPE
  • 50 percent more cushioning

CONS:

  • Some people may find that toe separator tears after a few uses
 

Inserts

Best Overall Inserts for Morton’s Neuroma

7. PowerStep Pinnacle Plus

If you’d prefer to have a full-length insert instead of a small pad or a sleeve, then these inserts are the ones we would recommend.

You can move them from shoe to shoe as you need to, and cut them to fit into your shoes perfectly.

These insoles have full-length foam cushioning, semi-firm arch support and they’re designed specifically with metatarsal support. It helps to spread the metatarsal heads so that they don’t rub against one another, as well as cushioning them and absorbing impact with every step.

The arch support and heel cradle will help to keep the foot in place, so you will get the most benefit out of the ball-of-foot support without worrying about your foot moving around.

Just note that the foam is quite firm. Some may find that it isn’t as cushioned as they’d like and it’s uncomfortable.

PROS:

  • Built-in metatarsal support
  • Double EVA/VCT foam layer cushioning
  • Antimicrobial top fabric
  • Heel cradle

CONS:

  • Some may find that the insert is too firm
 

Top Runner-up Insert

8. Vionic Slimfit Orthotic Insole

If you’re an overpronator who suffers from Morton’s neuroma, these insoles could help.

They’re designed to align the foot and prevent it from rolling inward, which can significantly reduce pain caused by a variety of conditions, including Morton’s neuroma.

They’re designed by a podiatrist and will work for flat shoes or shoes with a slight heel. The rearfoot angle keeps the foot stable, and the polyurethane absorbs shock, preventing jarring that could make the pain worse.

There is built-in support for the metatarsals that stabilize the ball of the foot and disperse pressure, keeping the pain away.

Individuals with high arches may find that the insoles lack sufficient arch support and cause more strain on the foot.

PROS:

  • Microfiber topcloth
  • Podiatrist-designed
  • Built-in rear-foot angle
  • Shock-absorbing polyurethane

CONS:

  • There may not be enough arch support for those with high arches
 

Best Insert for Sports

9. Pedag VIVA Sport Inserts

Pain in the ball of the foot can become worse when you’re playing sports. The repetitive motion of running, jumping, and constant movement can put extra pressure on the ball of the foot, increasing the pain if you don’t have metatarsal support.

These inserts are designed to cushion the whole foot, but they have a built-in metatarsal pad to help spread out the metatarsals and reduce pain and pressure in the ball of the foot.

There’s some arch support that should suit most feet. A diagonal bridge design keeps the feet aligned properly and prevents injuries and pain as a result of misaligned joints and bones. A heel cushion also helps to reduce force from the impact of landing.

These insoles run slightly small so it’s advisable to order one size up.

PROS:

  • Durable high-tech fiber
  • Diagonal bridge function
  • Semi-rigid footbed
  • Heel cushion

CONS:

  • These insoles can run small and you may have to order a size up
 

Top Insert for Cool Weather

10. Pedag VIVA Winter Orthotic Insole

We have thermal pants and shirts for winter, why not thermal insoles? If your feet are cold, there’s just no way to get warm again!

These insoles are designed specifically for winter and are made to insulate against the cold while supporting your feet.

There are three layers of insulation in these inserts. First, wool, which is a great insulator. Second, a layer of foam that not only warms but also cushions. Third, an aluminum shield that keeps the heat in.

As well as keeping your feet warm, these inserts will give you ideal support for Morton’s neuroma. A built-in metatarsal pad splays the toes and alleviates pressure, reducing pain and discomfort.

There’s also a heel cushion to lessen the shock of impact with every step. Semi-firm arch support keeps your foot from falling over and stabilizes every step. Some may feel that the arch support is too rigid for their liking, though.

The quality of this insole is apparent by the fact that it has been awarded the APMA Seal of Acceptance for being a product that promotes good foot health.

PROS:

  • Soft thermal insole
  • Built-in metatarsal pad
  • Anatomically shaped foot support
  • APMA Seal of Acceptance

CONS:

  • Some may find the arch support to be a bit too rigid
 

FAQs

What are metatarsal pads?

A metatarsal pad is a soft pad that you strategically place under the transverse arch—metatarsal arch—just behind the ball of the foot.

This alleviates the pressure that’s placed on the ball of your foot and supports the heads of the metatarsal bones, allowing them to splay naturally.

The pads help to distribute your body weight evenly and encourage the natural movement of the joints in your foot. It also creates space for the blood vessels and interdigital nerves to move, which helps alleviate pain and inflammation.

What should be considered when buying metatarsal pads?

When you’re looking at buying metatarsal pads, you should make sure that the ones you choose are non-slip so that your foot continues to stay secure in your shoe.

They should be made of high-quality, preferably medical-grade material that is durable and will last for a long time before you have to replace them.

Although you can get single-use metatarsal pads, the ones you buy should be washable and reusable so that you can use them every day to relieve the pain.

What are orthotics and what are their benefits?

Orthotics are similar to insoles. They’re medical inserts that are made to fit your feet, providing you the best possible support for your unique foot shape.

For example, an ideal orthotic for Morton’s neuroma would be structured in such a way that it prevents the metatarsal arches from rolling when you walk. This is one of the biggest causes of pain in Morton’s neuroma sufferers.

The benefits of orthotics are that they align all the structures in your foot so that your gait is improved and your foot moves naturally.

When your feet are moving in the right plane of motion, there’s less chance of pain and discomfort associated with foot conditions that are caused by misalignment or improper movement.