We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is an Interdigital Neuroma?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,473
Share

An interdigital neuroma is a painful condition in the foot associated with sharp, tingling pain most commonly situated between the third and fourth toes. This condition is also known as a Morton's neuroma or Morton neuroma after a prominent physician who studied it, and technically speaking, it is not actually a neuroma, a swelling or growth in the nerve. More properly, it is what is known as a perineural fibrosis, a condition where abnormal growth around the nerve compresses it and causes it to start malfunctioning. Several treatments are available for interdigital neuroma and treatment can involve a neurologist, as well as a foot and ankle surgeon.

In patients with this condition, the nerve between the third and fourth toes becomes compressed and irritated. A swelling may be palpable, but most commonly, the first symptom is pain. When the patient puts weight on the ball of the foot, a sharp pain can shoot through the foot. This can make walking, running, and standing very uncomfortable. The pain can also be centered between the second and third toes in some cases.

Diagnosis of interdigital neuroma requires a patient history, where the patient discusses the pain and talks about any associated problems, along with a physical exam. A physician should be able to palpate the foot and cause pain, and may be able to feel the area of inflammation and swelling. In some cases, imaging studies may be requested to rule out other causes of the pain, like a broken bone in the foot, for the purpose of being thorough.

For immediate relief, an injection of local anesthetic should help temper the pain and will increase patient comfort. This can also be useful in ambiguous cases where it is difficult to narrow down the origins of the pain. In the long term, patients may be advised to change shoes, and special inserts may be used to relieve pressure on the interdigital neuroma and allow the patient to resume normal activities.

If changing footwear is not sufficient to address the problem, the next treatment for interdigital neuroma is surgery. A surgeon can excise the area of abnormal growth through a small incision on the foot. Once the patient heals from the surgery, the pain should be resolved. Surgical options are usually not offered first, in case more conservative measures are sufficient to resolve the problem. Patients considering surgery may want to meet with several surgeons to find a good fit.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-an-interdigital-neuroma.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.