Soft tissue
Infections, inflammation & hematoma
Morton neuroma
Author: Vijay Shankar, M.D.
Last author update: 1 February 2013
Last staff update: 1 June 2023 (update in progress)
Copyright: 2002-2023, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Morton neuroma
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Diagrams / tables | Gross description | Gross images | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Differential diagnosisCite this page: Shankar V. Morton neuroma. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/jointsmortonsneuroma.html. Accessed June 4th, 2023.
Definition / general
- Thickening (perineural fibrosis) and degeneration of interdigital nerve of foot, usually between third and fourth metatarsal heads (eMedicine: Surgery for Morton Neuroma)
- Usually women due to poorly fitting shoes
- Sharp shooting pains, worse when standing, that begin in sole of foot and radiate to exterior surface
- Prevalence of 30 - 33% (Korean J Radiol 2007;8:148)
- Lesions > 5 mm are more symptomatic than smaller ones
Diagrams / tables
Images hosted on other servers:
Morton neuroma
Gross description
- Fusiform swelling proximal to bifurcation of plantar interdigital nerve
Gross images
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Endarterial thickening of digital artery, often with thrombosis
- Fibrosis around and within nerve
- Schwann cell and fibroblast proliferation
- Also loss of myelinated nerve fibers
Microscopic (histologic) images
Differential diagnosis
- Bursitis, intermetatarsal: see Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2005;9:175
- Traumatic neuroma: rare but also in interdigital nerves of feet
