Ankle & Foot
Neurological & Vascular
Evidence: suggestive
Mortons Neuroma Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Detecting Morton's Neuroma (pinched nerve between toes).
How to Perform
- Position: Patient sits or lies down.
- Action: Grasp the foot around the metatarsal heads (the ball of the foot).
- Compression: Squeeze the metatarsals together from the sides.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Sharp pain at the site of the neuroma, often between the 3rd and 4th toes.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Mortons Neuroma Test should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Ankle & Foot region, combining the Mortons Neuroma Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment (7th ed.). Elsevier.
