Morton’s interdigital neuroma: instructional review

Abstract

The terminology ‘Morton’s neuroma’ may represent a simplification of the clinical condition as the problem may not be a benign tumour of the nerve, but neuropathic foot pain associated with the interdigital nerve. Foot and ankle pathomechanics leading to metatarsalgia, clinical examination and differential diagnosis of the condition and imaging of the condition, for differential diagnosis, are discussed. Nonoperative management is recommended initially. Physiotherapy, injections (local anaesthetic, steroid, alcohol), cryotherapy, radiofrequency ablation and shockwave therapy are discussed. Operative treatment is indicated after nonoperative management has failed. Neuroma excision has been reported to have good to excellent results in 80% of patients, but gastrocnemius release and osteotomies should be considered so as to address concomitant problems. Key factors in the success of surgery are correct diagnosis with recognition of all elements of the problem and optimal surgical technique. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2019;4:14-24. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.4.180025.