How is a Morton's neuroma diagnosed?
The physician will make the diagnosis of Morton's neuroma based upon
the patient's symptoms as described above in an interview, or history,
and a physical examination.
The physical examination will reveal exceptional tenderness in
the involved interspace when the nerve area is pressed on the bottom
of the foot. As the interspace is palpated, and pressure is applied
from the top to the bottom of the foot, a click can sometimes be
felt which reproduces the patient's pain. This is known as a Mulder's
sign.
Because of inconsistent results, imaging studies such as MRI or ultrasound scanning are not useful
diagnostic tools for Morton's neuroma. Thus the physician must rely exclusively on the patient's history
and physical examination in order to make a diagnosis.