Skip to main content
Log in

Results of the surgical treatment of Morton's neuralgia in 58 operated intermetatarsal spaces followed over 6 (2–12) years

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In 45 patients (52 feet), 58 intermetatarsal spaces were operated on for Morton's neuralgia. The procedure included dorsal incision, division of the deep intermetatarsal ligament, and resection of the common digital nerve including the neuroma. The outcome of the operation was excellent in 13 clefts good in 20, fair in 14, and poor in 11 after a mean follow-up period of 6 years. Five clefts were reoperated, with improvement in four. The feet with Morton's neuralgia displayed a significantly higher rate of other foot pathologies than feet in a randomly selected control group. The results show the efficacy of the surgical treatment of Morton's neuralgia over a long follow-up period, with an improvement in 80% of cases.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bickel WH, Dockerty MB (1947) Plantar neuromas, Morton's toe. Surg Gynecol Obstet 84:111–116

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bossley CJ, Cairney PC (1980) The intermetatarsophalangeal bursa — its significance in Morton's metatarsalgia. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 62:184–187

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bradley N, Miller WA, Evans JP (1976) Plantar neuroma: analysis of results following surgical excision in 145 patients. South Med J 69:853–854

    Google Scholar 

  4. Gauthier G (1979) Thomas Morton's disease: a nerve entrapment syndrome. Clin Orthop 142:90–92

    Google Scholar 

  5. Johnson JE, Johnson KA, Unni KK (1988) Persistent pain after excision of an interdigital neuroma. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 70:651–657

    Google Scholar 

  6. Lassmann G (1979) Morton's toe. Clin Orthop 142:73–84

    Google Scholar 

  7. Mann RA, Reynolds JC (1983) Interdigital neuroma — a critical clinical analysis. Foot Ankle 3:238–243

    Google Scholar 

  8. Morris MA (1977) Morton's metatarsalgia. Clin Orthop 127:203–207

    Google Scholar 

  9. Morton TG (1876) A peculiar and painful affection of the fourth metatarsophalangeal articulation. Am J Med Sci 71:37–45

    Google Scholar 

  10. Silverman LJ (1976) Morton's toe or Morton's neuralgia. JAPA 66:749–756

    Google Scholar 

  11. Vainio K (1979) Morton's metatarsalgia in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Orthop 142:85–89

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ruuskanen, M.M., Niinimäki, T. & Jalovaara, P. Results of the surgical treatment of Morton's neuralgia in 58 operated intermetatarsal spaces followed over 6 (2–12) years. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 113, 78–80 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00572909

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00572909

Keywords

Navigation