An anatomic basis for recurrence after Morton's neuroma excision

Dissections of the common digital nerve and its branches were performed in the second and third web spaces in five fresh-frozen cadaveric feet. Plantarly directed nerve tetherings, which were histologically demonstrated to be nerve branches, were consistently present along the course of each common digital nerve. These plantarly directed nerve branches were found in highest concentration in the distal aspect of the common digital nerve proximal to the bifurcation into the proper digital branches. The presence of these nerve branches may contribute to the high incidence of Morton's neuroma recurrence either due to traumatic neuroma formation in the branches or to failure of proximal retraction of the more distally resected nerve stump.