Morton's neuroma differential diagnosis
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sara Mohsin, M.D.[2]
Overview
Morton's neuroma must be differentiated from other causes of pain in the forefoot.
Differentiating Morton's Neuroma from other Diseases
Morton's neuroma must be differentiated from other causes of pain in the forefoot. Too often all forefoot pain is categorized as neuroma. Other conditions to consider are capsulitis, which is an inflammation of ligaments that surrounds two bones, at the level of the joint. In this case it would the ligaments that attach the toe bone to the metatarsal bone. Inflammation from this condition will put pressure on an otherwise healthy nerve and give neuroma type symptoms. Additionally, an intermetatarsal bursitis between the third and fourth metatarsal bones will also give neuroma type symptoms because it too puts pressure on the nerve.
Since a neuroma is a soft tissue condition an MRI should be helpful in diagnosis, however, often an MRI will be inconclusive for neuroma even though a neuroma exists.