A prospective 2-year follow-up study of plantar incisions in the treatment of primary intermetatarsal neuromas (Morton's neuroma)

Foot Ankle Surg. 2008;14(2):67-73. doi: 10.1016/j.fas.2007.10.004. Epub 2008 Feb 21.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this prospective study, with a mean 29 (minimum 24) months follow-up was to evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment with a longitudinal, plantar incision of primary Morton's neuromas.

Methods: All 55 patients (59 feet) had their pre-and post-operative pain assessed using VAS, and pre-operative radiographs evaluated. Two independent orthopedic surgeons performed the follow-up examinations.

Results: Histology confirmed positive neuromas in all cases and there were only three minor complications. There was 88% reduction of pain at follow-up and 86% of all patients rated the overall satisfaction with the results as excellent or good. For those patients engaged in sports activities, the corresponding figure was 93%.

Conclusions: Surgery with a plantar incision seems to be a reliable and safe intervention of primary Morton's neuromas, with only limited number of minor complications and a subjective satisfactory outcome, well in accordance with other studies, using different, surgical approaches.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Foot Diseases / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroma / surgery*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Prospective Studies
  • Toes