All forefoot’s pain are not morton’s neuroma-a pictorial review of the forefoot musculoskeletal conditions mimicking mortons neuroma

Abstract

Introduction Ultrasound US and Magnetic resonance imaging MRI of the foot are often requested by foot and ankle specialists or general physicians GPs and the reason for these referral requests to Musculoskeletal Radiologists is usually forefoot and midfoot pain The request card for these patients usually states Morton rsquo s neuroma as a working suspected diagnosis However there are many other conditions that can mimic Morton rsquo s neuroma Materials and methods This article demonstrates multiple conditions that we have come across in our practice Between July and February we received consecutive patients from GP and specialists for ultrasound of foot with various clinical suspicions Standard ultrasonography of the foot was performed using high frequency probes by consultant muskuloskeltal radiologists Results Various differential diagnoses included intermetatarsal bursitis stress frature degenerative changes of the metatarsophalangeal and tarsometatarsal joints inflammatory arthropathy causing synovitis and joint effusions turf toe sesamoiditis freiberg rsquo s disease plantar plate disruption tenosynovitis of flexor or extensor tendons Additionally benign conditions have been detected at such as soft tissue disorders ganglions calluses adventitial bursitis plantar fibromatosis and haemangioma Furthermore malignant conditions such as giant cell tomour of tendon sheath and schwannomas were also detected Conclusion To improve the diagnosis of forefoot non specific foot pain healthcare professionals need to collect a complete and careful history perform thorough physical examinations and to be more aware about the possible conditions that lead to foorfoot foot pain This will avoid unnecessary visits to GPs orthopaedic surgeons and radiologists