Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy and Morton's Neuroma: A Case Report

Morton's neuroma (MN) is a neuralgia involving the common plantar digital nerves of the metatarsal region. Evidence-based treatment options for this condition are sparse, and physiotherapy's usefulness is limited. A woman aged 44 years was referred to physiotherapy for left forefoot pain lasting 3 months. The podiatrist diagnosed MN using ultrasonography. Examination found positive squeeze test, painful interphalangeals and metatarsal heads, and painful metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) extension. Repeated flexion of MPJ digit II relieved the patient's pain. She was treated six times over 3 months to progress treatment, achieve longer lasting pain relief, and recover function to full pain-free status, including running. The patient's pain reduced after treatment from a variable 2-7 out of 10 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale to 0 out of 10. After two sessions, the patient's Lower Extremity Functional Scale score improved, from 56 out of 80 to 70 out of 80, and by discharge, it was 73 out of 80. At 6-month follow-up, the patient was still running pain-free. This article describes the rapid and lasting improvement in chronic forefoot pain associated with MN after mechanical diagnosis and therapy assessment and treatment. Finding new, effective, conservative interventions is important for this condition because so few evidence-supported treatments exist. The findings from this case report demonstrate the benefit derived from exercise-based treatment and may indicate a role for physiotherapy in managing MN.