Private Morton’s Neuroma Excision

Morton’s neuroma excision is a foot operation where a swollen, irritated nerve in the ball of your foot is carefully removed to reduce pain. Normally, small nerves run between the long bones of your foot (metatarsals) and split toward your toes. With Morton’s neuroma, one of these nerves—most often between the third and fourth toes—gets thickened and inflamed, often from pressure, tight shoes, or foot mechanics.

In a neuroma excizion, the surgeon makes a small cut on the top or bottom of the foot, gently moves aside soft tissues, and finds the enlarged nerve bundle. They then remove the thick, damaged segment of nerve while protecting nearby structures like blood vessels and tendons. The goal is to stop the nerve from constantly firing pain signals when you walk, stand, or wear shoes.

This surgery is usually considered when non‑surgical options—like wider footwear, orthotics, padding, or injections—haven’t given enough relief and the neuroma is clearly identified on exam or imaging.

Shorter wait times

• Time matters when every step feels like you are walking on a pebble.
• Instead of waiting months (or longer) for consultation and OR time, private centres can often book surgery within weeks.
• That means less time with burning forefoot pain and faster return to normal walking, work, and daily life.

Choice and control

Going private lets you:

• Choose an experienced forefoot surgeon experienced with neuroma excision
• Plan surgery around work, travel, or sport seasons

Peace of mind

• You know exactly who will operate, when, and what the plan is.
• Clear dates and an itemized quote make it easier to arrange time off, rides, and follow‑up care.

Preventing further decline

• Function and quality of life: Limits months of limping, shoe problems, and activity cut‑backs.
• Foot mechanics: Earlier treatment may help prevent long‑term changes in how you walk and load your other joints.
• Mental load: Reduces the constant stress of planning your day around foot pain and wondering when relief will actually happen.

1. ‍Confirm your diagnosis. Most patients start with a family doctor or specialist who confirms that surgery is needed.
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2. Research. Explore surgeons who specialize in private Morton's neuroma excision.
   • You can find surgeons in Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec on our app, and review qualifications, as well as pricing.
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3. Schedule an initial consultation. Most surgeons offer in-clinic and online consults.
   
   • Consultations are usually booked within days or a few weeks.
   • Note: expect a consultation fee between $150 - $350.
   • We recommend scheduling 2-4 consults to better understand your options.
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4. Consultation. The surgeon will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics, such as x-rays or MRIs.
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5. ‍Post consultation. The surgeon will then review your case and provide surgical options based on your needs; review the risks and expected outcomes; and present pricing and scheduling options.
   
   • Because the procedure is not covered by your provincial health plan when done privately, you’ll need to review the quoted cost and consider payment options (out-of-pocket, private insurance, or financing).
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6. Schedule your surgery date. Once you confirm the procedure and payment, the clinic will schedule your surgery—generally within a few weeks.
   
   • Plan for travel and accommodation, since the surgery will likely take place outside your home province.
   • Expect pre-surgery preparation, and possibly some pre-surgery tests.

Surgery usually takes 20–60 minutes for one neuroma (longer if more than one). Expect to be at the clinic or hospital for several hours (check‑in, anaesthesia, surgery, and early recovery).

Basic steps (start to finish)

1. Check‑in and planning

• You arrive, change, and meet the nurse and anaesthesia team.
• The surgeon confirms which foot and which web space (between which toes) they will operate on, then marks the area.

2. Anaesthesia

• Most people get:
  • Local + sedation (numbing the foot plus medicine to make you relaxed and sleepy), or
  • A regional block (numbing the leg/foot) with or without light sedation.
• You should not feel sharp pain during the operation.

3. Position and prep

• You lie on your back; the foot is placed so the surgeon can easily reach the nerve.
• The skin is cleaned with antiseptic, and sterile drapes are put around the area.

4. Incision

• A small cut is made either:
  • On the top of the foot between the affected toes, or
  • Sometimes on the sole (depending on surgeon preference).
• Soft tissues are gently moved aside to expose the thickened nerve.

5. Finding and removing the neuroma

• The surgeon carefully identifies the swollen nerve segment (the neuroma) between the metatarsal bones.
• The damaged part of the nerve is removed, while protecting nearby blood vessels, tendons, and normal tissue.
• The ends of the nerve are positioned so they are less likely to be irritated.

6. Closure and dressing

• The area is rinsed, then the incision is closed with sutures.
• A dressing and padding are applied to protect the wound and support the forefoot.

7. Early recovery

• You go to a recovery area while the numbness and sedation start to wear off.
• The team checks your vital signs, foot circulation, and comfort, and reviews your instructions before you go home the same day (in most cases).

Your exact plan comes from your surgeon, but here’s the general idea. Take it seriously—how you protect and use your foot after surgery  affects your result.

First few days

What it feels like

• Sore, swollen forefoot
• Weird to put weight on it at first
• You’ll likely have bandages and maybe a special shoe or sandal

Main goals

• Control pain and swelling
• Protect the incision
• Keep blood flowing in your leg

Typical instructions

• Keep your foot elevated above heart level as much as you can
• Use ice as allowed to reduce swelling
• Wiggle toes and move your ankle gently to keep things loose
• Follow your surgeon’s rules on weight‑bearing (some allow partial weight in a post‑op shoe, some want you very light on it at first)
• Keep the dressing dry and clean

Weeks 1–3

What it feels like

• Still swollen, especially by the end of the day
• Walking is possible but a bit awkward

Main goals

• Walk short distances safely
• Protect the nerve area while it settles
• Let the skin and soft tissues heal

Typical steps

• Stitches removed around 10–14 days, if not absorbable
• Gradually increase time on your feet, but still do lots of elevation
• You may move from crutches/walker to just a supportive shoe as cleared
• Light daily activities around the house are usually okay

Weeks 4–8

What it feels like

• Less “sharp” pain, more occasional aching or pulling
• Some numbness between the toes is normal and expected

Main goals

• Get back to more normal walking
• Reduce swelling and stiffness
• Start easing into regular shoes (wide, soft ones first)

Typical steps

• Transition into roomy, supportive footwear as allowed
• Short walks on flat ground, slowly building time and distance
• Gentle stretches and foot exercises if your surgeon or physio recommends them

Beyond 2–3 months

What it feels like

• Most people have much less burning/pebble pain
• Numbness in the web space between toes often stays but is usually not bothersome

Main goals

• Walk and stand comfortably for normal daily life
• Return to your usual activities and footwear (within reason)

Red flags anytime

Call your care team or seek urgent help if you notice:

• Fever, chills, or feeling very unwell
• Increasing redness, warmth, or pus‑like drainage from the incision
• Sudden big increase in pain or swelling in the foot or calf
• Trouble moving or feeling your toes that is new or getting worse

Morton’s neuroma excision is a smaller foot surgery, so costs are usually lower than big joint operations.

• In Canada, private clinics often charge around CA$3,000–CA$8,000 per foot.

How much does it cost in the United States on average?

• In the U.S., Morton’s neuroma surgery can range roughly from CA$4,100 to CA11,500+
  

Why does the price vary so much?

Things that change the cost:

• City/province or state
• Surgeon experience and reputation
• Clinic vs full hospital setting
• How many neuromas are treated in the same foot
• What is bundled in (anaesthesia, follow‑ups, special footwear, etc.)

What’s usually included

Most private quotes will bundle:

• Surgeon fee (and assistant, if used)
• Anaesthesia costs (local + sedation or regional block, monitoring)
• Facility fees (operating room time, nursing staff, supplies, equipment)
• Standard surgical materials (sutures, dressings, basic post‑op shoe/sandal if provided)
• Immediate recovery care on the day of surgery
• Early follow‑up visits to check the incision and remove stitches (if non‑dissolving)

What’s usually not included

Often billed separately or handled elsewhere:

• Pre‑op tests and imaging (X‑rays, ultrasound, MRI)
• Extra specialist consults, like medical clearance from a cardiologist
• Travel and accommodation if you go out‑of‑province or to the U.S.
• Long‑term physiotherapy beyond any basic instructions or one‑off sessions
• Prescription medications after discharge (pain meds, antibiotics, etc.)
• Custom orthotics or special footwear once you are healed

Insurance and payment notes

• Private or workplace insurance: Some plans may cover parts (e.g., hospital fees or orthotics). You have to check your specific policy.
• Financing plans: Many private clinics now offer monthly payment options.
• Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) in Canada: Out‑of‑pocket medical costs, including private surgery, may be claimed to reduce your taxes if they qualify.

Choosing your surgeon is one of the benefits of going private. Here's how to choose wisely.

What to look for

Experience and volume

• Ask how many Morton’s neuroma excisions they do per year.
• Ask if they regularly do forefoot surgery (not just “general” foot work).

Credentials and training

• Make sure they are licensed with the provincial college (CPSO, CPSBC, CPSA, etc.).
• Look for:
  • FRCSC‑certified orthopaedic surgeon with foot/ankle training, or
  • FRCSC‑certified plastic surgeon with focused foot work, or
  • Podiatric surgeon with hospital/surgical centre privileges (where applicable).

Safety and outcomes

• Ask about:
  • Infection rate
  • How often people need re‑operation in the same area
  • Typical pain relief and satisfaction at 6–12 months
• Make sure they explain trade‑offs like expected numbness honestly.

Technique

• Ask where they make the incision (top vs bottom of foot) and why.
• Ask how they handle the cut nerve end to reduce risk of a new painful neuroma.

Facility accreditation

• Choose a clinic or surgical centre that is formally accredited, for example by:
  • Accreditation Canada
  • CAAASF (Canadian Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities), or
  • Equivalent provincial body.

Rehab and follow‑up

• Check that you’ll get:
  • Clear written post‑op instructions
  • A plan for activity, footwear, and return to work
  • Simple access to your surgeon or team if you have concerns

Questions to bring to your consultation

About the surgeon and surgery plan

• How many Morton’s neuroma excisions do you perform each year?
• Do you mainly treat forefoot problems (bunions, neuromas, hammertoes), or is this a small part of your practice?
• Where will you make the incision and why that approach for me?
• What are your rates of infection, re‑operation, or painful recurrent neuromas?

Anaesthesia and safety

• What kind of anaesthesia do you recommend (local + sedation, regional block, etc.)?
• How will you manage pain right after surgery?
• If there’s an emergency, do you have a hospital transfer plan?

Recovery and aftercare

• How long do you expect me to use a special shoe or crutches?
• When can I likely return to:
  • School/desk work?
  • A job where I stand a lot?
  • Sports or long walks?
• Who do I contact if I’m worried about pain, swelling, or the incision?

Costs and logistics

• What exactly is included in my quote (surgeon, anaesthesia, facility fees, dressings, post‑op shoe, follow‑ups)?
• What might cost extra (imaging, orthotics, more surgery if you find more than one neuroma)?
• If I’m travelling from another province, which follow‑ups can be virtual, and which need to be in person?

Choosing a surgeon for Morton’s neuroma excision is about more than price. Look for clear communication, real experience with forefoot surgery, a safe accredited facility, and a recovery plan that actually fits your life.