Morton's neuroma differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis
Negative signs include no obvious deformities, erythema, signs of inflammation or limitation of movement. Direct pressure between the metatarsal heads will replicate the symptoms, as will compression of the forefoot between the finger and thumb so as to compress the transverse arch of the foot. This is referred to as Mulder’s Sign.

There are other causes of pain in the forefoot. Too often all forefoot pain is categorized as neuroma. Other conditions to consider are capsulitis, which is an inflammation of ligaments that surrounds two bones, at the level of the joint. In this case it would the ligaments that attach the toe bone to the metatarsal bone. Inflammation from this condition will put pressure on an otherwise healthy nerve and give neuroma type symptoms. Additionally, an intermetatarsal bursitis between the third and fourth metatarsal bones will also give neuroma type symptoms because it too puts pressure on the nerve.

Since a neuroma is a soft tissue condition an MRI should be helpful in diagnosis, however, often an MRI will be inconclusive for neuroma even though a neuroma exists.