Intermetatarsal neuromas: distribution and etiologic factors

Area of Science:

• Podiatric Medicine
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Intermetatarsal neuromas are a common cause of forefoot pain.
• Understanding the demographic and biomechanical factors associated with neuroma development is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the prevalence of intermetatarsal neuromas based on sex, location, and forefoot imbalances.
• To investigate the correlation between patient weight and the development of intermetatarsal neuromas.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of hospital records for 97 patients who underwent surgical excision of an intermetatarsal neuroma.
• Analysis of patient demographics, neuroma location, forefoot alignment, and weight status.

Main Results:

• Four-fifths of patients diagnosed with intermetatarsal neuromas were female.
• Two-thirds of neuromas occurred in the third intermetatarsal space, with the second space affected approximately half as often.
• 85% of patients were overweight.
• Unilateral neuromas were associated with forefoot varus imbalance in 75% of cases, while bilateral neuromas predominantly presented with flexible forefoot valgus.

Conclusions:

• Intermetatarsal neuromas show a strong predilection for overweight females.
• Specific forefoot imbalances, such as varus and valgus, are significantly associated with unilateral and bilateral neuromas, respectively.