The term neuroma refers to a swelling of a nerve. The nerve commonly affected is a small nerve that connects the 3d and 4^th toes, counting from the big toe. The patient will complain of pain in the sole of the foot. The area may be hot and swollen.The symptoms begin with numbness or tenderness in the foot, just behind the 3^rd and 4^th toes. At a later stage, pain, numbness, burning and tingling sensations can radiate around the foot.

The symptoms may appear and disappear spontaneously. Severe pain may be present at weight bearing and the patient may experience spontaneous shooting pains, which is often referred to as an "electric shock". This can affect patients when are sleeping at night. Mechanical problems with the feet such as "over pronation" can cause this condition. Over pronation can be simply described as a condition, which causes your arches to flatten out when you stand up. This causes your ankles to roll in towards each other and disturbs your normal walking pattern.

If a foot over pronates the structures of the foot are put under stress, which increases the likelihood of a neuroma occurring.