Title: Morton's Neuroma - FootEducation
Headings: Morton’s Neuroma
Morton’s Neuroma
Clinical Presentation
Physical Examination
Imaging Studies
Treatment
Non-Operative Treatment
Operative Treatment
Potential Surgical Complications

Content: Sometimes, a patient’s anatomic alignment in the forefoot contributes to the overload. There may be some cases where the neuroma develops spontaneously, for no obvious reason. However, once the nerve is irritated, pressure from walking, and from the adjacent bony prominences (metatarsal heads) may contribute to persistent pain, (Figure 2). Patients will feel pain that worsens with walking, particularly when walking in shoes which are narrow, with thin soles, or high heels. Patients will often feel more comfortable out of shoes. Figure 2: Location of nerve right under the skin (between base of 3rd and 4th toes)
Physical Examination
Patients with classic Morton’s neuroma symptoms will have pain with pressure at the base of the involved toes (Figure 3). In addition, squeezing the front of the foot together can exacerbate symptoms. As well, they may have numbness on the sides of one toe and the adjacent toe, as this corresponds with the distribution of the involved nerve (Figure 4). Figure 3: