Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for Morton Neuroma Differential Diagnoses

  • Author: Kevin Berry, MD; Chief Editor: Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 30, 2010
 
 

Diagnostic Considerations

The most common condition misdiagnosed as Morton's neuroma is metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint synovitis. When pain occurs in the third interspace, the clinician may misdiagnose the condition as Morton's neuroma instead of MTP synovitis, which may manifest very much like Morton's neuroma. MTP synovitis is distinguished from Morton's neuroma by subtle swelling around the joint, pain localized mainly within the joint, and pain with forced toe flexion. Palpation of the MTP joint is performed best with a pinching maneuver from the dorsal and plantar aspects of the joint to elicit tenderness of the joint. Other conditions often misdiagnosed as Morton's neuroma include the following:

  • Stress fracture of the neck of the metatarsal
  • Rheumatoid arthritis and other systemic arthritic conditions
  • Hammertoe
  • Metatarsalgia (ie, plantar tenderness over the metatarsal head)

Less common conditions that have overlapping symptoms with Morton's neuroma include the following:

  • Neoplasms
  • Metatarsal head osteonecrosis
  • Freiburg osteochondrosis
  • Ganglion cysts
  • Intermetatarsal bursal fluid collections
  • True neuromas
Proceed to Workup
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Kevin Berry, MD  Resident Physician, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, University of Colorado Hospital

Kevin Berry, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Medical Association, American Medical Student Association/Foundation, and Illinois State Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Peter Gonzalez, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Peter Gonzalez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American College of Sports Medicine, and Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard G Bowman II, MD  Rehabilitation and Electrodiagnostic Director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Management, The Center for Pain Relief

Richard G Bowman II, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robert J Kaplan, MD  James E Van Zandt VA Medical Center, Staff Physician, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine

Robert J Kaplan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Association of Academic Physiatrists, and Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Michael T Andary, MD, MS  Professor, Residency Program Director, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Michael T Andary, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, and Association of Academic Physiatrists

Disclosure: allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Kelly L Allen, MD  Medical Director, Medevals

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD  Consulting Staff, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Alegent Health, Immanuel Rehabilitation Center

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Morton TG. Peculiar painful affection of fourth metatarsophalangeal articulation. Am J Med Sci. 1876;71:37.

  2. Fridman R, Cain JD, Weil L Jr. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for interdigital neuroma: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. May-Jun 2009;99(3):191-3. [Medline].

  3. Kim JY, Choi JH, Park J, et al. An anatomical study of Morton's interdigital neuroma: the relationship between the occurring site and the deep transverse metatarsal ligament (DTML). Foot Ankle Int. Sep 2007;28(9):1007-10. [Medline].

  4. O'Connor FG, Wilder RP, Nirschl R. Foot Injuries in the Runner. In:Textbook of Running Medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2001;258-260.

  5. Lee MJ, Kim S, Huh YM, Song HT, Lee SA, Lee JW, et al. Morton neuroma: evaluated with ultrasonography and MR imaging. Korean J Radiol. Mar-Apr 2007;8(2):148-55. [Medline].

  6. Zanetti M, Weishaupt D. MR imaging of the forefoot: Morton neuroma and differential diagnoses. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. Sep 2005;9(3):175-86.

  7. Akermark C, Saartok T, Zuber Z. A prospective 2-year follow-up study of plantar incisions in the treatment of primary intermetatarsal neuromas (Morton's neuroma). Foot Ankle Surg. 2008;14(2):67-73. [Medline].

  8. Monacelli G, Cascioli I, Prezzemolo G, Spagnoli A, Irace S. [Surgical treatment of Morton's neuroma: our experience and literature review]. Clin Ter. May-Jun 2008;159(3):165-7. [Medline].

  9. Valente M, Crucil M, Alecci V. Operative treatment of interdigital Morton's neuroma. Chir Organi Mov. May 2008;92(1):39-43. [Medline].

  10. Lee KT, Lee YK, Young KW, et al. Results of operative treatment of double Morton's neuroma in the same foot. J Orthop Sci. Sep 2009;14(5):574-8. [Medline].

  11. Villas C, Florez B, Alfonso M. Neurectomy versus neurolysis for Morton's neuroma. Foot Ankle Int. Jun 2008;29(6):578-80. [Medline].

  12. Title CI, Schon LC. Morton neuroma: primary and secondary neurectomy. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. Sep 2008;16(9):550-7. [Medline].

  13. Pace A, Scammell B, Dhar S. The outcome of Morton's neurectomy in the treatment of metatarsalgia. Int Orthop. Apr 2010;34(4):511-5. [Medline].

  14. Rout R, Tedd H, Lloyd R, et al. Morton's neuroma: diagnostic accuracy, effect on treatment time and costs of direct referral to ultrasound by primary care physicians. Qual Prim Care. 2009;17(4):277-82. [Medline].

  15. Markovic M, Crichton K, Read JW, et al. Effectiveness of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection in the treatment of Morton's neuroma. Foot Ankle Int. May 2008;29(5):483-7. [Medline].

  16. Betts LO. Morton's Metatarsalgia. Med J Aust. 1940;1:514.

  17. Clanton TO, Butler JE, Eggert A. Injuries to the metatarsophalangeal joints in athletes. Foot Ankle. Dec 1986;7(3):162-76. [Medline].

  18. Cyriax J. Diagnosis of soft tissue lesions.In: Textbook of Orthopaedic Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:. The Curtis Center;1982.

  19. Guiloff RJ. Carbamazepine in Morton's neuralgia. Br Med J. Oct 13 1979;2(6195):904. [Medline].

  20. Jahss MH, Kummer F. Non-inflammatory synovitis of the second metatarsophalangeal joint and its surgical management. Paper read at: 16th Annual Meeting of American Orthopaedic Foot Ankle Society, New Orleans, La. February 1986.

  21. Logan PM, Janzen DL, O'Connell JX, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging and histopathologic appearances of benign soft-tissue masses of the foot. Can Assoc Radiol J. Feb 1996;47(1):36-43. [Medline].

  22. Mizel MS, Miller RA, Scioli MW. Orthopaedic knowledge update. In: Foot and Ankle. Rosemont, Ill:. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons;1998.

  23. Snyder RK. In: Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care. Rosemont, Ill:. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons;1997.

  24. Terk MR, Kwong PK, Suthar M, et al. Morton neuroma: evaluation with MR imaging performed with contrast enhancement and fat suppression. Radiology. Oct 1993;189(1):239-41. [Medline].

  25. Vazquez-Abad D, Tian L, Monteon V, et al. CRI-EM is a human idiotype highly specific for scleroderma. Ann N Y Acad Sci. Apr 5 1997;815:512-5. [Medline].

  26. Wu KK. Morton neuroma and metatarsalgia. Curr Opin Rheumatol. Mar 2000;12(2):131-42. [Medline].

  27. Yocum LA. In: Clinics in Sports Medicine. Vol 7. Philadelphia, Pa:. WB Saunders Co;1988.

 
Previous
Next
 
Plantar view showing the relationships between the metatarsal heads, the intermetatarsal ligament, and the neuroma.
Neurectomy: typical incision location.
Neurectomy: superficial exposure.
Neurectomy: deeper dissection.
Neuroma and adherent fibrofatty tissue.
 
 
 
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2012 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.