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Morton’s Neuroma: Clinical Assessment & Management




Chiropractor, Dr. Alexander Jimenez looks the anatomy and physiology Morton’s neuroma, and reviews evidence-based clinical examination tools and management techniques.

A Morton’s neuroma is an enlargement of the nerve branches of the intermetatarsal spaces of the forefoot. The nerve between the third and fourth metatarsal bones (80-85%) are commonly affected and less commonly is the nerve between the second and third metatarsal bones (10-15%) (see Figure 1)(1).



Importantly however, since no nerve damage has been sustained, a Morton’s neuroma doesn’t present as a typical neuroma. Therefore, more appropriate terms such as ‘intermetatarsal nerve entrapment’ or ‘Morton’s entrapment’ may be more suitable as the nerve becomes compressed between the metatarsal heads of the forefoot(2). However, while the term ‘entrapment’ should be acknowledged, Morton’s neuroma will be the term used here as this is the term used in the literature. Morton’s Neuroma is a condition, which is diagnosed more frequently in females, and although the incidence rate is higher in the 40-50-year-old age group, those in their teens and twenties can also be affected(3). A Morton’s neuroma is often diagnosed in athletes that wear tight fitting footwear or in those who place high loads on the feet such as in ballet dancers or runners(4). In particular, runners who have increased extension of the third metatarsophalangeal joint relative to the fourth metatarsophalangeal joint have an increased incidence of Morton’s Neuroma(4). Although the precise causes of Morton’s neuroma are unclear, most expert authorities agree that repetitive trauma to the plantar digital nerve (positioned between the transverse intermetatarsal ligament and the surrounding fascia) during physical load is likely to be a key factor.

Signs & Symptoms

It is essential to be aware of the clinical signs and symptoms that patients may describe during a subjective examination. These may include a dull or sharp pain, numbness or tingling, burning sensation, cramping, or walking with the feeling of ‘a stone in the shoe’(1). Walking and wearing tight-fitting shoes may exacerbate the symptoms, whereas the removal of footwear together with rest and massage is likely to alleviate the symptoms(4). It is important to recognise that a patient may describe different pain presentations throughout the day. Following compression (perhaps from tight fitting footwear or following heavy loading) pain may be intense for five to ten minutes, followed by a dull ache for two to three hours(5).

Assessment & Diagnosis

A Morton’s neuroma can be clinically assessed through a variety of tests. Researchers from the University Hospital of Leicester have studied the sensitivity and accuracy of different clinical tests used for diagnosing a Morton’s neuroma(6). (The ‘sensitivity’ of a test can be explained as the proportion of people who test positive for a condition among those who actually have the condition.)



The tests (see Figure 2 and Table 1) included:



  • The thumb/index finger squeeze (96% sensitivity, 96% accuracy)

  • Mulder’s click (61% sensitivity, 62% accuracy)

  • Foot squeeze (41% sensitivity, 41% accuracy)

  • Plantar percussion (37% sensitivity, 36% accuracy)

  • Dorsal percussion (33% sensitivity, 26% accuracy)

  • Light touch and pin prick (26% sensitivity, 25% accuracy)
Of note however is that while the thumb index finger squeeze test was more sensitive in diagnosing a typical Morton’s Neuroma, the Mulders click test was a significantly more effective test in diagnosing the larger neuromas.

A Morton’s neuroma can be diagnosed using either an ultrasound or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. A systematic review and meta-analysis carried out by two researchers from the University of Genoa selected 14 studies (from 277 identified articles) that measured the diagnostic accuracy of a Morton’s neuroma(7). No significant difference between diagnostic ultrasound and MRI was found to exist in the accuracy of diagnosing such a lesion. It could be argued however that an MRI is more sensitive at identifying other disorders that ultrasound is unable to identify (such as those outlined in Box 1). Merve et al did however establish that the specificity for MRI was lower for Morton’s neuroma (68%) compared to ultrasound (88%)(1). Specificity can be defined as the amount to which a diagnostic test is specific for a particular condition.



Non-Surgical Management

All non-surgical means should be explored before more invasive techniques are used to manage this condition. It is well known that a metatarsal pad can be used to offload the intermetatarsal space during loading(8). In addition, high-heeled shoes should be avoided as well shoes with a thin sole also as they may increase compression forces in the region of the bottom of the foot. If a foot pad is not effective after three months of use the current NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) guidelines recommend referral to an orthotist to prescribe custom made orthotics(8). If footwear modification and orthotics are ineffective then referral to a consultant with a special interest in the foot is justified.

Surgical Management

It is commonly aired view within the scientific literature that conservative means for treatment of Morton’s neuroma are ineffective, and that steroid injection or surgical excision are more effective – or indeed, the only solution. To test this, researchers randomly assigned eighty two patients who had been diagnosed with Morton’s neuroma to either a footwear modification (with orthotics) only group, or footwear modification with a steroid injection at the initial assessment(10).




NB: The first three tests of this study are detailed in Table 1 due to their higher sensitivity and accuracy.

Overall, there was a significant difference between the two groups at three, six and twelve months follow up, with the patients receiving footwear modification plus steroid injection being more satisfied. At the 12-month review, 83% of patients who received a steroid injection were either pain free or had had relief of pain. This is in contrast to 63% of patients who had orthotics with footwear modification. However, when the results obtained for twelve months were analysed in depth, they weren’t statistically significant to those obtained in the footwear modification only group.

Barratt and colleagues have suggested that although steroid injections may provide temporary relief, their long term effectiveness is questionable(2). The damage to the surrounding fatty tissue and the plantar plate (a thickened ligament that functions to prevent the toes from hyper- extending) is possible over the long term. In addition, alcohol injection techniques should be avoided to prevent damage to neural and surrounding tissues, and have been shown to have poor long term results.

A variety of surgical techniques have been described for treating this condition such as excision of the neuroma or intermetatarsal ligament release(5). To excise the lesion, an incision can be made either on the top or the sole of the foot, each presenting with varying complications(5). One complication with an approach from the bottom of the foot is the formation of scar tissue, which may be painful when subjected to pressure. A further restriction is that weight bearing is limited for two weeks, whereas an incision from the top of the foot allows for early weight bearing(3).

A normal recovery protocol following surgery on the top of the foot, is two weeks in a post-operative shoe, with removal of stitches after two weeks. After three to four weeks a patient can transfer into a normal shoe and then resume sport within four to six weeks(5). An incision from the bottom of the foot however requires the stitches to remain in for an extra two weeks, and therefore extends the recovery protocol.

Despite the potential for a number of complications following surgery for excision of a Morton’s Neuroma, studies suggest that 80-96% of patients report they are satisfied with the overall outcome(5). Some of the complications that did occur arose from the formation of keloid scarring (2.2%), which presents as hard or rubbery areas raised above the level of the skin surface, which may be shiny and hairless. A keloid scar can be painful or itchy and sometimes doesn’t present until months after surgery. Furthermore, it may restrict movement at a joint. It is also reported that more than 30% of cases reported numbness in the relevant toes and present with a positive Tinels sign(11). In addition, there is a risk of wound infection as reported by 1.1% of cases(5). Moreover, there is a risk of recurring formation of the neuroma, and patients should be informed of this.


Summary

In summary, while the results for a Morton’s neuroma are promising following surgery, in the opinion of this author, it is the role of the physiotherapist or sports therapist to effectively treat by exploring all conservative options before referring for surgery. If surgery is indicated, it is recommended to maintain overall body conditioning through non-load bearing exercises during the rehabilitation period.

References

1. Pain Phys, 2016, Feb, 19: E355-E357.

2. http://www.aens.us/images/aens/ AENSGuidelinesFinal-12082014.pdf

3. Ochsner Journal, 2016, 16, 471–474.

4. Int J of Clini Med, 2013, 4, 19-24.

5. http://www.aofas.org/PRC/conditions/ Pages/Conditions/Mortons-Neuroma.aspx

6. The J of Foot and Ankle Surg, Aug, 2015, 54, 4, 549–553.

7. Euro Radi, August, 2015, 25, 8, 2254–2262.

8. https://cks.nice.org.uk/mortonsneuroma#!scenariorecommendation

9. Man Thera, 2016, 21, 307 – 310.

10. Am Ortho Foot and Ankle Soc, July, 2005, 26, 7, 556-559.

11. ACO, July, 2002, 10, 1, 45-50.

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The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to contact us. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com phone: 915-850-0900 Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*