Soft tissue

Infections, inflammation & hematoma

Morton neuroma



Last author update: 1 February 2013
Last staff update: 1 June 2023 (update in progress)

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PubMed Search: Morton neuroma

Vijay Shankar, M.D.
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Cite 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

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Morton neuroma

Gross description
  • Fusiform swelling proximal to bifurcation of plantar interdigital nerve
Gross images

Contributed by @Andrew_Fltv on Twitter
Morton neuroma

Morton neuroma

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

Contributed by @Andrew_Fltv on Twitter
Morton neuroma Morton neuroma Morton neuroma

Morton neuroma

Differential diagnosis
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