Interdigital Neuroma Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms of Morton's neuroma include the following sensations, usually between the third and fourth or (less often) second and third toes:

Burning, pain, tingling, and numbness often shooting into the toes
Discomfort that is worse while walking
Feeling of a lump between the toes
Symptoms are usually temporarily relieved when a person:
- Takes off their shoes
- Flexes their toes
- Rubs their feet

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Initial diagnosis of Morton's neuroma is based on your description of the type and location of pain and discomfort in the foot. The diagnosis will be confirmed by:

Physical exam of the foot, including:
- Checking for mechanical abnormalities in the foot
- Squeezing the side of the foot, doing so will usually cause pain when Morton's neuroma is present
Examination of your shoes to:
- Check for excess wear in parts of the shoe
- Check to see whether the shoes are too tight
If the diagnosis is still in doubt, an x-ray may be done to rule out another cause of the pain (eg, fracture)
An ultrasound may be used to visualize the neuroma
Injections of local anesthetic can be used for diagnosis