Differential Diagnosis of Metatarsalgia

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Podiatry

Background:

• Lesser (central) metatarsalgia involves forefoot pain under the lesser metatarsals.
• Morton's neuroma (MN) and plantar plate (PP) injury are common etiologies.
• Differentiating these conditions is challenging due to overlapping clinical and imaging features.

Approach:

• This review focuses on the diagnostic role of imaging in metatarsalgia.
• It examines various radiologic modalities for assessing MN and PP injuries.
• The discussion includes the strengths, weaknesses, and potential pitfalls of imaging techniques.

Key Points:

• Imaging is crucial for detecting and characterizing metatarsalgia causes.
• Understanding the nuances of different imaging modalities is essential.
• Awareness of diagnostic pitfalls in clinical practice is highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Accurate differential diagnosis of lesser metatarsalgia relies heavily on appropriate imaging interpretation.
• This review provides insights into diagnosing MN and PP injuries.
• Effective management hinges on distinguishing between these common forefoot pain sources.