clinical features

Last edited 06/2018

Moreton's metatarsalgia is more common in women, with a peak incidence in the fifth decade (1).

Symptoms reported by the patient are usually characteristic for this condition:

  • there is sharp, intermittent attacks of pain in the forefoot during walking which may often radiate into the related toes  
    • pain is aggravated by wearing tight-fitting, high-heeled shoes and relieved by resting and removing shoes.
  • pain often is localized at the plantar aspect of the respective intermetatarsal space, but it can radiate into the adjacent toes.
  • patients may describe the pain as:
    • burning
    • stabbing
    • tingling with electric sensations
  • occasionally diminished sensation may be the only symptom (1)
  • some patients describe the sensation as walking on a stone or marble or walking on a rolled-up or wrinkled sock
  • prolonged walking may result in pain shooting up the foot or leg, causing cramps.
  • numbness between the toes is present in less than half of the patients
  • there is localized tenderness over the site of the neuroma (1,2,3,4,)

Small lesion (< 6 mm) can cause symptoms consistent with larger lesions (5). 

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