The role of the width of the forefoot in the development of Morton's neuroma

Aims: Morton's neuroma is common condition of the forefoot, but its aetiology remains unclear. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between the width of the forefoot and the development of a Morton's neuroma. Patients and Methods: Between January 2013 and May 2016, a total of 84 consecutive patients (17 men, 67 women) with a unilateral Morton's neuroma were enrolled into the study. The involved and uninvolved feet of each patient were compared. A control group of patients with symptoms from the foot, but without a neuroma who were matched for age, gender, affected side, and web space location, were enrolled. The first to fifth intermetatarsal distance, intermetatarsal angle and intermetatarsal distance of involved web space on standing radiographs were assessed. Results: The inter- and intra-observer reliability was excellent. The three parameters did not differ significantly between the involved and uninvolved feet. Neither did they differ significantly between the patients and the controls. Conclusion: We conclude that there is no significant relationship between the width of the forefoot and the development of a Morton's neuroma.