Which finding on the metatarsal squeeze test indicates Morton's neuroma?

Which finding on the metatarsal squeeze test indicates Morton's neuroma?

• A. Pain or click
• B. Numbness of the big toe
• C. Swelling along the dorsum
• D. Pain with resisted plantar flexion

Answer: (A)

Morton's neuroma causes irritation of the interdigital nerve between the metatarsal heads. The metatarsal squeeze test loads that nerve by compressing the heads of the metatarsals together, often reproducing forefoot pain and sometimes producing a palpable or audible click as the neuroma is squeezed between the heads (the Mulder sign). That reproduced forefoot pain, sometimes with a click, is the hallmark of a positive test for this condition. Numbness of the big toe can occur with nerve irritation but is not the specific sign of the test; swelling along the dorsum and pain with resisted plantar flexion point to other problems.

Morton's neuroma causes irritation of the interdigital nerve between the metatarsal heads. The metatarsal squeeze test loads that nerve by compressing the heads of the metatarsals together, often reproducing forefoot pain and sometimes producing a palpable or audible click as the neuroma is squeezed between the heads (the Mulder sign). That reproduced forefoot pain, sometimes with a click, is the hallmark of a positive test for this condition. Numbness of the big toe can occur with nerve irritation but is not the specific sign of the test; swelling along the dorsum and pain with resisted plantar flexion point to other problems.