Abstract
Background
The optimal treatment of symptomatic Morton’s neuroma remains unclear; conservative methods are sometimes ineffective and neurectomy has significant rates of patient dissatisfaction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of minimally invasive distal metatarsal metaphyseal osteotomy (DMMO) and percutaneous release of the deep transverse metatarsal ligament (DTML) in patients with Morton’s neuroma.
Methods
Between January 2018 and November 2019, 27 patients (29 feet) diagnosed with Morton’s neuroma after clinical and radiological evaluation underwent DMMO and percutaneous DTML release. The primary clinical outcomes were pain (VAS) and function (AOFAS score). Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction, complications, and radiographic outcomes. Patients were followed up for a minimum of two years.
Results
The median age of the participants was 66 years (range 48–79) and the follow-up time was 28 months (24–47). There was a decrease of 5.7 points in the VAS for pain (p < .001) and an increase of 19.9 in AOFAS (p < .001) after the surgical procedure. There was one case of superficial infection and one patient required resection of the neuroma (neurectomy). The majority of patients (89.7%) were satisfied and considered the procedure outcome as excellent or good.
Conclusion
Treatment of Morton’s neuroma with minimally invasive distal metatarsal metaphyseal osteotomy and percutaneous release of the deep transverse metatarsal ligament showed significant improvement in pain and function with a low incidence of complications and a high rate of personal satisfaction.
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Data availability
Not available.
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We thank Rodrigo Tonan for enriching the content of the article through the impeccable medical illustrations.
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Level of evidence: IV, case series
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Sato, G., Ferreira, G.F., Sevilla, D. et al. Treatment of Morton’s neuroma with minimally invasive distal metatarsal metaphyseal osteotomy (DMMO) and percutaneous release of the deep transverse metatarsal ligament (DTML): a case series with minimum two-year follow-up. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 46, 2829–2835 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-022-05557-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-022-05557-0