Information
Plantar digital neuroma or Morton’s Neuroma is a soft tissue nerve entrapment, which commonly affects one or more of the small nerves in the foot. Most commonly found in the second and third web spaces. They can cause mild to severe pain between the joints in the front of the foot and there is often numbness in the one or more toes.
Diagnosis can be aided by lateral compression across the forefoot. Increased pain and often a click are elicited (Mulder’s sign) aiding diagnosis.
If patients do not improve to an acceptable level within the community podiatry service, they will be escalated to the Podiatry MSK or Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic service.
Who to refer:
Anyone regardless of age with pain caused in the forefoot suspected to be a Neuroma if self management measures have failed.
Who not to refer:
Patients who are undergoing management for this condition with another service.
General advice
Provide patient leaflet – Pain at the ball of your foot
Consider pain relief
If no improvements after following advice for 6 weeks refer or advise patient to self-refer to Podiatry Community Service
For Patients
NHS Lothian Podiatry patient information leaflet
Pain at the ball of your foot (Plantar Digital Neuroma) self-management guide (nhslothian.scot)
Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Patient Information Leaflet: Morton’s Neuroma
Morton’s Neuroma (nhslothian.scot)
For Health Professionals
