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What is Morton's Neuroma?

If you’ve ever had the feeling of walking around with a rock in your shoe, then might understand the first symptoms of Morton’s neuroma. Often, this condition causes you to feel as if a rock is stuck in your shoe, your sock is bunched up, or something is poking you in the ball of the foot

What is Morton's Neuroma?

If you’ve ever had the feeling of walking around with a rock in your shoe, then might understand the first symptoms of Morton’s neuroma. Often, this condition causes you to feel as if a rock is stuck in your shoe, your sock is bunched up, or something is poking you in the ball of the foot

What is Morton's Neuroma?

If you’ve ever had the feeling of walking around with a rock in your shoe, then might understand the first symptoms of Morton’s neuroma. Often, this condition causes you to feel as if a rock is stuck in your shoe, your sock is bunched up, or something is poking you in the ball of the foot

What is Morton's Neuroma?

If you’ve ever had the feeling of walking around with a rock in your shoe, then might understand the first symptoms of Morton’s neuroma. Often, this condition causes you to feel as if a rock is stuck in your shoe, your sock is bunched up, or something is poking you in the ball of the foot

What is Morton's Neuroma?

If you’ve ever had the feeling of walking around with a rock in your shoe, then might understand the first symptoms of Morton’s neuroma. Often, this condition causes you to feel as if a rock is stuck in your shoe, your sock is bunched up, or something is poking you in the ball of the foot

Diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma

Care must be taken in diagnosing Morton’s neuroma. In some cases, nerve pathology of the entire foot can be missed because the examiner mistakenly thinks that the problem is a Morton’s neuroma. For this reason, it is important to see an experienced practitioner, and they have to take a careful history followed by an in depth physical exam.  Morton’s neuroma is frequently present, if it is painful to presses on the space between the third and fourth toes.

Many people will have different experiences of Morton’s neuroma pain. To some, it will feel like they are walking on a twisted bit of sock or like having a pebble in their shoes. Cramping, numbness, and burning are often reported, and the pain may radiate to other toes beyond the third and fourth ones. Some Morton’s neuroma patients feel more  pain when walking over a hardwood floor barefoot.

All other diagnoses should be considered before reaching the conclusion that the pain is caused by Morton’s neuroma. You may have arthritis, a fracture, or some other condition that requires a different method of treatment. It is important to thoroughly work up the condition with imaging and diagnostic procedures to ensure that the actual cause of the pain is Morton’s neuroma.

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Clinical Signs

An examination of the foot may show a reduced sensation to the area served by the nerve affected with Morton’s neuroma. The doctor may be able to reproduce the pain by squeezing the forefoot while at the same time applying pressure to the bottom (plantar) surface of the foot directly over the affected web space. In some cases,  merely feeling or pressing the plantar surface of the foot in the affected area between the toe bones can reproduce the pain. In some cases, the doctor can feel the nerve enlargement. Your foot will also show no or very little signs of redness or inflammation. Localized swelling is not common with a Morton’s neuroma and suggests another diagnosis.

Doctors may be able to demonstrate Tinel’s Sign, which is an indication of a irritated nerve. Tinel’s Sign is demonstrated if you feel a sensation of tingling of pins and needs when the nerve affected is lightly tapped.

Critical Signs of Morton's Neuroma - Web Space Compression Tenderness
Foot Squeeze Test

Mulder’s Sign may also be demonstrated. This occurs when you lie on your back. Then the doctor squeezes your foot between the bones leading to the first and fifth toes while at the same time pressing the ball of the foot in the area of the Neuroma. A positive sign occurs when you feel the pain of your neuroma in the bottom (or plantar) surface of your foot. The pain you feel with the test may spread to the area the nerve serves between the toes and sometimes a click (Mulder’s click) can also be heard. The presence of a click does not indicate a positive Mulder’s Sign – the pain must be reproduced to have a positive Mulder’s sign. See this Video. You may still have a Morton’s neuroma even with a negative Tinel’s Sign or a negative Mulder’s Sign.

X-Ray

Since x-rays of the foot don’t show Morton’s neuroma, an MRI or ultrasound will likely be ordered but X-rays of the foot may be necessary to exclude other diagnoses.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is one of the most sensitive tests for Morton’s neuroma, but it is not often necessary. It is very effective in determining if this condition is present. In addition, MRIs can help to determine if the pain is caused by some other foot problem, such as a ganglion cyst or cancerous neuroma of the foot. A negative MRI does not necessarily exclude a diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma.

Morton’s neuroma Mortons MRI2

Mortons-MRI

Ultrasound

Ultrasound examinations of Morton’s neuroma have been shown to be as effective as magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing Morton’s neuroma. It is a relatively simple diagnostic test; however, a negative Ultrasound does not necessarily exclude a diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma.
Mortons-Neuroma-ultrasound

Diagnostic Local Anesthetic Injection

Probably the most definitive method of diagnosing Morton’s neuroma is with a diagnostic local anesthetic injection. This is considered the gold standard for diagnosing Morton’s neuroma and we do a diagnostic injection on nearly all of our patients to make or confirm the diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma. A local anesthetic such as lidocaine is injected around the nerve in the web space between the third and fourth toes. We use ultrasound guidance to increase the accuracy of the injection and the diagnosis. If the pain is eliminated by the local anesthetic injection blocking this nerve, then a diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma is highly likely. However, if the block fails to relieve the pain, then it is more likely that the pain is caused by a different condition.

This diagnostic procedure is especially helpful in the following cases:

  • When more than one web space is experiencing pain or the pain is atypical for Morton’s neuroma;
  • For patients that have a long and complex history or have had Morton’s neuroma surgery but still have pain; or simply,
  • To confirm the diagnosis.

A diagnostic injection is often considered the gold standard for diagnosis. It is often more definitive than other tests and can indicate the likelihood of success of our ultrasound guided ablation procedures.

Cautious Use of MRI’s and Ultrasounds in Morton’s Neuroma

The presence of a Morton’s neuroma as confirmed by MRI or Ultrasound does not mean that your foot pain is due to Morton’s neuroma. Studies have shown that many patients have asymptomatic (non-painful) Morton’s neuromas in their feet. Furthermore, MRI’s and ultrasounds can sometimes miss a Morton’s neuromas that is present so a negative MRI or Ultrasound does not exclude the diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma.

MRI or ultrasonography should only be used for diagnostic purposes, and even then they should be used in conjunction with a thorough history, physical examination and possibly a diagnostic local anesthetic injection. They are not a reliable indicator of conservative versus operative treatment. Morton’s neuroma is a clinical diagnosis with the prime symptom being intermittent pain usually located between the third and fourth metatarsal heads which can frequently be reproduced by direct compression between the metatarsal heads. The disappearance of pain by local anesthesia into the painful metatarsal space (a diagnostic injection) is an important and accurate tool for the diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma.

Differential Diagnosis

The most common condition that is often mistaken for Morton’s neuroma is metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint synovitis. This is an inflammation of the joint that connects the bones of the foot to the bones of the toes. It is differentiated from Morton’s neuroma because it causes swelling around the joint area, pain in the joint itself, and pain when the toes are forced into flexion. Your doctor can often feel the swelling of the joint by pinching the foot at the juncture at the third web space and causing pain. This reaction does not usually occur with Morton’s neuroma.

Bursitis, which is a collection of fluid in the bursa sacs that surround the joint and can present with similar symptoms to Morton’s neuroma. These bursa sacs can often squeeze the nerve that runs between the toe bones causing pain similar to Morton’s neuroma. Frequently, bursa are seen wrapped around a Morton’s neuroma and in such cases Cryosurgery will treat the bursa as well as the neuroma.

Another possible reason for pain in this area is a stress fracture of the bones of the foot or toes. This will often cause pain when the area is touched, and will show as a fracture on a simple x-ray. Pain is often felt when the affected bone is gently squeezed. Rheumatoid Arthritis and other joint problems can also cause pain in this area. They cause inflammation of the membranes around the joint that connects the foot to the toes, and it can elicit pain in this spot. Often, other joints will be painful as well, and it will not be localized to the third web space.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome can present similarly to Morton’s neuroma. The Tibial nerve, which is one of the main nerves of the foot, can become compressed as it passes through an anatomical tunnel in the inside ankle. In such cases the pain experienced can be similar to Morton’s neuroma. A simple clinical test called the Tinel’s test can be used to evaluate for tarsal tunnel syndrome. The test involves tapping the Tibial nerve below the ankle, and a positive test produces tingling in the forefoot. See this video

Rarely pain similar to Morton’s neuroma can be caused by an impingement of one of the nerves in the back. This is call a radiculopathy, where the problem is at or near the root of the nerve in the spine but the pain is often felt further away at the other end of the nerve. A nerve root that is constantly squeezed in the lower back (lumbar-sacral) spine can sometimes cause symptoms in the foot. Often when radiculopathy is present a simple test known as a straight leg raise will reproduce the symptoms in the foot.

A hammertoe, or an abnormal inward curving of the toe, can sometimes cause pain in the web space similar to Morton’s neuroma pain. Usually, the toe deformity is visible to the naked eye, and it can be diagnosed without further testing. In addition, pain in the area where the foot connects to the toes can be caused by arthritis of the metatarsal head joints. This is generally diagnosed once Morton’s neuroma is ruled out via diagnostic procedures, such as ultrasound-guided injection or an MRI.

Less common diagnoses that overlap with the symptoms of Morton’s neuroma include true cancerous tumors. In this case, the nerve cells may proliferate into a malignancy, but this is a rare presentation of a true neuroma. Necrosis of the metatarsal bone, such as can be present with diabetic foot ulcers, can also cause this type of pain.

Finally, ganglion cysts can form in the third web space, and these are benign, fluid filled lumps that present over the tendons or joints of the hands or feet.

We offer a number of procedures to treat Morton’s neuroma without surgery. To see the treatments we offer for Morton’s neuroma click here.

Dee’s

Catherine is a nurse and is on her feet all day long. For about the last 2 years, after work at the end of the day, she used to feel burning pain.

Chip

Catherine is a nurse and is on her feet all day long. For about the last 2 years, after work at the end of the day, she used to feel burning pain.

Catherine

Catherine is a nurse and is on her feet all day long. For about the last 2 years, after work at the end of the day, she used to feel burning pain.

Brett

Brett has been in excruciating pain for a very long time (about 20 years) but since his first procedure here, he got 25 % pain relief. His pain has gone from a 7-8/10 down to 4-5/10. He is able to golf again, walk the course and play with his grandchildren.

Mitch’s testimonial after his neuroma surgery

Mitch is a 61 year old active male who had a neuroma between his 2nd and 3rd toes on his left foot. He suffered with the neuroma for almost two years. He found the Center for Morton’s Neuroma through the internet and after several phone calls and conversations he had his one and only treatment in March of 2019. Here is his story.

Rick from Canada

Rick came from Canada for Morton’s neuroma treatment. Previously his pain was so bad that every step he took was in pain. Now his condition and quality of life has improved “orders of magnitude.” He can now golf 2-3 times per week.

John from Kentucky, 10 weeks after his ablation

John is a runner from Kentucky but couldn’t run due to his Morton’s neuroma. Now, 10 weeks after his ablation, he now doesn’t feel any more foot pain and has started easing back into jogging again without any problems.

Ari’s testimonial after his cryoablations

Ari had a Morton’s neuroma which was so bad that at times he couldn’t even weight bear on his right foot & also had pain on his left foot. He now has no pain & is now able to do everything he wants.

Does forefoot width influence the development of Morton’s Neuroma

It has been suggested that Morton’s neuroma represents an entrapment neuropathy in the tunnel formed by the Deep Transverse Metatarsal Ligament and the two metatarsals, and that during both the mid- stance and heel-off stages of walking, the interdigital nerve is pulled and compressed by the ligament.

10 Signs you may have Morton’s neuroma

Do you have foot pain or metatarsalgia? What are the 10 signs that you may have Morton’s neuroma? We specialize in treating Morton’s neuroma.

Mortons neuroma MRI – Clinical vs. Radiological Diagnosis

What is the best way to diagnose Morton’s neuroma? Is Morton’s neuroma a clinical diagnosis? do I need an MRI for Morton’s neuroma? All about the diagnosis of Mortons

Diagnostic local injection for Morton’s neuroma

What is a Diagnostic local injection for Morton’s neuroma? When should I have one done? Is it necessary? We specialize in Mortons neuroma treatment

Why is Morton’s neuroma a difficult diagnosis?

Is Morton’s neuroma a difficult diagnosis? For an experienced clinician the diagnosis of can be straightforward but In some cases it may be very challenging

What are the common clinical signs for Morton’s neuroma?

Do you think you have Mortons neuroma? Persistent forefoot pain is the most common complaint but many conditions mimic Mortons neuroma.

Morton’s neuroma ultrasound: visualizing Vs diagnosing Morton’s neuroma

What is the exact effectiveness and role of ultrasound in Morton’s neuroma? The key is that role of ultrasound in Morton’s varies in diagnosis Vs treatment

Facts about Morton’s neuroma #2: Signs for the diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma

What is the exact effectiveness and role of ultrasound in Morton’s neuroma? The key is that role of ultrasound in Morton’s varies in diagnosis Vs treatment

What are the 4 most important things you need to know about Morton’s neuroma?

What are the 4 most important things to know about Morton’s neuroma? If you have Morton’s neuroma, you should know these facts…

Do I really have a Morton’s neuroma?

I have a Morton’s Neuroma on MRI and Ultrasound. Do I really have a Mortons Neuroma? Mortons neuroma is a clinical diagnosis, radiological tests are limited

Morton’s neuroma – Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can mimic Morton’s neuroma. Both can present with foot pain, tingling, burning or foot numbness. See an experienced practitioner

Morton’s neuroma and rheumatoid arthritis

All patients of Morton’s neuroma should be checked for musculoskeletal conditions. About 5% of the patients with Morton’s neuroma have a rheumatoid nodule.

A simple test to diagnose Morton’s neuroma?

A recent study showed that a simple clinical test is very effective to help diagnose morton’s neuroma. Mortons neuroma is a clinical diagnosis

Are women more likely to get Morton’s neuroma?

Women are 8-10 times more likely to develop Morton’s Neuroma as compared to males? What are the risk factors for developing Morton’s Neuroma in females?

Can I have Morton’s neuroma in both feet? Bilateral Morton’s neuroma?

Morton’s neuromas are bilateral in 15% of patients. Make sure your medical provider examines both feet carefully. See Morton’s neuroma experienced providers

The role of MRI versus ultrasound in the diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma

If I have have symptoms that suggest Morton’s neuroma, is an ultrasound needed? Is an Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) needed? Which is better?

Morton’s neuroma progression over the years

In some cases, Morton’s Neuroma is diagnosed early, in other cases it is diagnosed latter. Even if Morton’s is diagnosed later, surgery usually isn’t needed

Do I have Morton’s neuroma?

I have foot pain. How do I know if it is Morton’s neuroma? What tests should I have to see if it’s Morton’s neuroma? Should I have an MRI for Morton’s?

What conditions mimic Morton’s neuroma?

Morton’s neuroma often mimics other musculoskeletal and neurological conditions of the foot, which makes it quite challenging to accurately diagnose.

Full spectrum of treatments for Morton’s neuroma

We are the only center (that we know of) to provide the widest spectrum of treatments available to treat Morton’s neuroma. This allows us to tailor your treatment so that it is right for you.

 

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