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Ultrasonography (Seoul, Korea) Apr 2022Ultrasonography (US) is a useful diagnostic method that can be easily applied to identify the cause of metatarsalgia. The superficial location of structures in the foot,...
Ultrasonography (US) is a useful diagnostic method that can be easily applied to identify the cause of metatarsalgia. The superficial location of structures in the foot, dynamic capability of US, and the ability to perform direct real-time evaluations of the pain site are also strong advantages of US as a modality for examining the foot. Moreover, knowing the possible pain sources to investigate when a patient has a specific site of pain will enhance the diagnostic quality of US, and will help radiologists to perform US efficiently and effectively. The purpose of this article is to review the common etiologies of metatarsalgia including Morton's neuroma, plantar plate injury, synovitis, tenosynovitis, bursitis, and metatarsal fractures, and to discuss their US features.
PubMed: 34879474
DOI: 10.14366/usg.21193 -
Arthroscopy Techniques Aug 2017Morton's neuroma is a compressive neuropathy resulting in perineural fibrosis rather than a neuroma of the plantar digital nerve. Surgical treatment is indicated for...
Morton's neuroma is a compressive neuropathy resulting in perineural fibrosis rather than a neuroma of the plantar digital nerve. Surgical treatment is indicated for patients with a clear diagnosis of Morton's neuroma and no improvement with nonsurgical treatment. The surgical options include isolated intermetatarsal ligament division, isolated interdigital nerve excision, and interdigital nerve excision with intermetatarsal ligament division, with or without submuscular transposition. This can be performed via dorsal or plantar approach. The open approaches require long incisions and extensive soft-tissue dissection. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe the surgical details of endoscopic interdigital neurectomy. This is an endoscopic approach involving interdigital nerve excision with intermetatarsal ligament division and submuscular transposition.
PubMed: 29354403
DOI: 10.1016/j.eats.2017.05.002 -
Indian Journal of Orthopaedics 2017Morton's neuroma is a common cause of metatarsalgia and many treatments had been described in literature. However, there have been only a few reports that treat the...
BACKGROUND
Morton's neuroma is a common cause of metatarsalgia and many treatments had been described in literature. However, there have been only a few reports that treat the neuroma with an osteotomy on the proximal, not distal portion of the metatarsal bone using a plate. This study describes the clinical outcome of sliding osteotomy on the proximal metatarsal bone for the treatment of Morton's neuroma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixty five consecutive patients (85 feet) who underwent surgery for Morton's neuroma between November 2010 and February 2013 were identified from hospital records to include in this retrospective study. Average followup period was 37.3 months (range 24-51 months). Mean patient age at surgery was 50.2 years (range 23-75 years). Metatarsal sliding osteotomies were only performed on the third metatarsal bone. Clinical evaluations with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Lesser Metatarsophalangeal Interphalangeal Scale (AOFAS LMIS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) were performed. The length of the lesser toe was measured for radiologic evaluation.
RESULTS
Postoperatively, AOFAS LMIS and FFI were improved from 52.1 (range 45-60) and 62.4 (range 54-73) to 74.2 (range 68-86) and 31.3 (range 26-37). At the last followup, preoperative pain was dissolved in 79 feet (93% of overall 85 feet). A shortened 3.2 mm (±1.1) metatarsal bone following osteotomy was radiographically measured. There were six cases of complications (soft tissue infection, early numbness, delayed union, limitation of dorsiflexion and metal failure, etc.).
CONCLUSIONS
This proximal metatarsal sliding osteotomy can be a relatively effective operative method in relieving pain from Morton's neuroma.
PubMed: 29200487
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5413.217678 -
Foot & Ankle Specialist Dec 2022Compression and irritation at the plantar aspect of the transverse intermetatarsal ligament may lead to a compressive neuropathy called Morton's neuroma. There are many...
Compression and irritation at the plantar aspect of the transverse intermetatarsal ligament may lead to a compressive neuropathy called Morton's neuroma. There are many treatment options for Morton's neuroma, with the most common surgical option being traction neurectomy. While there has been success in many surgical procedures, up to 35% of patients treated with traction neurectomy have recurrent pain and up to one-third of these patients have a recurrent stump neuroma. These neuromas are caused by abnormal axonal growth during regeneration, leading to an unorganized mass of fibrotic collagenous tissues, Schwann cells, and axons. More recent surgical treatments of neuromas have included nerve capping, which has been proposed to prevent painful neuroma formation by isolating the nerve end from external chemosignaling and reducing disorganized axonal outgrowth. An off-the-shelf, biocompatible porcine small intestine submucosa (pSIS) derived nerve cap with internal chambering has been investigated in a rodent study, which showed less pain sensitivity and less axonal swirling indicative of reduced likelihood of neuroma formation. Furthermore, a recent clinical study indicated that patients experienced a significant reduction in pain 3 months after Morton's neuroma excision followed by repair using a nerve cap. This article describes the surgical technique of the aforementioned clinical study to mitigate neuroma formation, where a Morton's neuroma is excised, and the remaining proximal nerve stump is inserted within a nerve cap and buried in the surrounding muscle. Level V: Expert opinion.
Topics: Humans; Swine; Animals; Morton Neuroma; Neuroma; Denervation; Pain; Extracellular Matrix
PubMed: 35778874
DOI: 10.1177/19386400221106642 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2016Capsaicin is the pungent ingredient of chili peppers and is approved as a topical treatment of neuropathic pain. The analgesia lasts for several months after a single... (Review)
Review
Capsaicin is the pungent ingredient of chili peppers and is approved as a topical treatment of neuropathic pain. The analgesia lasts for several months after a single treatment. Capsaicin selectively activates TRPV1, a Ca-permeable cationic ion channel that is enriched in the terminals of certain nociceptors. Activation is followed by a prolonged decreased response to noxious stimuli. Interest also exists in the use of injectable capsaicin as a treatment for focal pain conditions, such as arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. Recently injection of capsaicin showed therapeutic efficacy in patients with Morton's neuroma, a painful foot condition associated with compression of one of the digital nerves. The relief of pain was associated with no change in tactile sensibility. Though injection evokes short term pain, the brief systemic exposure and potential to establish long term analgesia without other sensory changes creates an attractive clinical profile. Short-term and long-term effects arise from both functional and structural changes in nociceptive terminals. In this review, we discuss how local administration of capsaicin may induce ablation of nociceptive terminals and the clinical implications.
PubMed: 27809268
DOI: 10.3390/ph9040066 -
Skeletal Radiology Mar 2022To assess the value of the divergence of toes on conventional radiographs of the foot for diagnosing Morton's neuroma.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the value of the divergence of toes on conventional radiographs of the foot for diagnosing Morton's neuroma.
METHODS
This retrospective case-control study was approved by the local ethics committee. In 100 patients with MRI-proven Morton's neuroma 2/3 or 3/4 (study group) and 100 patients without (control group), conventional weight-bearing dorso-plantar view radiographs were evaluated for the subjective presence of interphalangeal divergence, called the Vulcan salute sign or V-sign, by two blinded, independent musculoskeletal radiologists. Interphalangeal angles (2/3 and 3/4) and intermetatarsal angle I/V were measured. The t test and chi-squared test were used to compare the groups. Diagnostic performance was calculated. Interobserver reliability was assessed using κ statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).
RESULTS
The difference between the groups was significant (P < 0.05) regarding the presence of the V-sign, which was found in 30 of 100 patients with Morton neuroma and in 3 of 100 control patients, with a sensitivity of 30% and a specificity of 97%. The differences between interphalangeal angles were significant (P < 0.05) between the groups. The interphalangeal angle 2/3 mean values were 7.9° (± 4.8) for the study group vs 5.4° (± 2.6) for the controls; the 3/4 angle values were 6.5° (± 3.8) and 3.4° (± 2.5), respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in the intermetatarsal angle I/V. Interobserver agreement was substantial for the V-sign, with a κ value of 0.78. The ICC was excellent concerning angle measurements, with all values ≥ 0.94.
CONCLUSION
The Vulcan salute sign on conventional radiographs is specific for Morton's neuroma.
Topics: Case-Control Studies; Humans; Morton Neuroma; Neuroma; Radiography; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34263343
DOI: 10.1007/s00256-021-03851-3 -
Arthroscopy Techniques Dec 2015Morton neuroma is an entrapment of the intermetatarsal nerve by the deep intermetatarsal ligament. It is usually treated conservatively. Surgery is considered if there...
Morton neuroma is an entrapment of the intermetatarsal nerve by the deep intermetatarsal ligament. It is usually treated conservatively. Surgery is considered if there is recalcitrant pain that is resistant to conservative treatment. The surgical options include resection of the neuroma or decompression of the involved nerve. Decompression of the nerve by release of the intermetatarsal ligament can be performed by either an open or minimally invasive approach. We describe 2-portal endoscopic decompression of the intermetatarsal nerve. The ligament is released by a retrograde knife through the toe-web portal under arthroscopic guidance through the plantar portal.
PubMed: 27284515
DOI: 10.1016/j.eats.2015.08.003 -
Cureus Jan 2022A 63-year-old female patient, with a past history of rheumatoid arthritis, presented with insidious pain on the left foot second and third metatarsophalangeal joints,...
A 63-year-old female patient, with a past history of rheumatoid arthritis, presented with insidious pain on the left foot second and third metatarsophalangeal joints, associated with swelling and morning stiffness (mean time: four hours). Physical examination evidenced a tender and soft nodularity in the third intermetatarsal space, along with sharp pain, consistent with Morton's neuroma. Foot ultrasound suggested Morton's neuroma, but not excluding the possibility of rheumatoid arthritis involvement. Foot magnetic resonance imaging suggested the possibility of extensive synovitis of the third metatarsophalangeal joint, but not excluding the coexistence of Morton's neuroma because of the mass effect. Finally, the patient underwent an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the nodule, which confirmed metatarsophalangeal joint synovitis. The foot is a common location of rheumatoid arthritis manifestation, and metatarsophalangeal joint synovitis can mimic Morton's neuroma. After a definite diagnosis, the patient recovered lower limb functional impairment after introducing adalimumab and a rehabilitation program. This case highlights the importance of an accurate differential diagnosis, pharmacological rheumatoid arthritis control, and physical medicine and rehabilitation programs to optimal clinical and functional improvement.
PubMed: 35251822
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21751 -
Heliyon Aug 2023Morton's neuroma (MN) is a compressive neuropathy of the common digital plantar nerve causing forefoot pain. Foot posture and altered plantar pressure distribution have...
Morton's neuroma (MN) is a compressive neuropathy of the common digital plantar nerve causing forefoot pain. Foot posture and altered plantar pressure distribution have been identified as predispoing factors, however no studies have compared individuls with different foot postures with MN. Thus, we aimed to compare the effect of MN on spatiotemporal gait parameters and foot-pressure distribution in individuals with pes planus and pes cavus. Thirty-eight patients with unilateral MN were evaluated between June and August 2021. Nineteen patients with bilateral pes planus and 19 age and gender-matched patients with pes cavus who had no prior surgery were recruited. A Zebris FDM-THM-S treadmill system (Zebris Medical GmbH, Germany) was used to evaluate step length, stride length, step width, step time, stride time, cadence, velocity, foot-pressure distribution, force and whole stance phase, loading response, mid stance, pre-swing and swing phase percentages. There were no significant differences between the groups in spatiotemporal gait parameters (p > 0.05). Patients with pes planus displayed the following results for step length (49.36 ± 8.38), step width (9.05 ± 2.12), stance phase percentage (65.92 ± 2.11), swing phase percentage (34.08 ± 2.12), gait speed (2.96 ± 0.55), and cadence (100.57 ± 8.84). In contrast, patients with pes cavus displayed the following results for step length (49.06 ± 8.37), step width (8.10 ± 2.46), stance phase percentage (64.96 ± 1.61), swing phase percentage (34.79 ± 1.60), gait speed (2.95 ± 0.65), and cadence (99.73 ± 13.81). Foot-pressure distribution values showed no differences were detected in force, forefoot, and rearfoot pressure distribution, except for midfoot force (p < 0.05). The forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot pressure values for the pronated group were 32.14 ± 10.90, 13.80 ± 3.03, and 22.78 ± 5.10, and for the supinated group were 33.50 ± 11.49, 14.23 ± 3.11 and 24.93 ± 6.52. MN does not significantly affect spatiotemporal gait parameters or foot-pressure distribution in patients with pes cavus or pes planus.
PubMed: 37636349
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19111 -
The Bone & Joint Journal Mar 2017Morton's neuroma is common condition of the forefoot, but its aetiology remains unclear. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between the width of the forefoot and...
AIMS
Morton's neuroma is common condition of the forefoot, but its aetiology remains unclear. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between the width of the forefoot and the development of a Morton's neuroma.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Between January 2013 and May 2016, a total of 84 consecutive patients (17 men, 67 women) with a unilateral Morton's neuroma were enrolled into the study. The involved and uninvolved feet of each patient were compared. A control group of patients with symptoms from the foot, but without a neuroma who were matched for age, gender, affected side, and web space location, were enrolled. The first to fifth intermetatarsal distance, intermetatarsal angle and intermetatarsal distance of involved web space on standing radiographs were assessed.
RESULTS
The inter- and intra-observer reliability was excellent. The three parameters did not differ significantly between the involved and uninvolved feet. Neither did they differ significantly between the patients and the controls.
CONCLUSION
We conclude that there is no significant relationship between the width of the forefoot and the development of a Morton's neuroma. Cite this article: 2017;99-B:365-8.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Anthropometry; Case-Control Studies; Female; Forefoot, Human; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Morton Neuroma; Observer Variation; Radiography; Ultrasonography; Young Adult
PubMed: 28249977
DOI: 10.1302/0301-620X.99B3.BJJ-2016-0661.R1