Young Woman With Foot Pain

Jan 28, 2015

A 35-year-old woman presented with pain in her left foot. Although Morton's neuroma might seem the logical cause, there is a different (and unusual) explanation in this case.

A 35-year-old woman presents with foot pain. The explanation is not what you might guess at first. Follow the images to see the unusual diagnosis.

Radiographs demonstrate a soft tissue mass between the first two digits at the level of the metatarsal heads and extending distally.

MRI shows a fluid mass interposed between the first and second metatarsal heads containing a prominent amoung of synovial proliferation/synovitis.

Although intermetatarsal bursitis often accompanies Morton's neuroma, it can also arise in isolation, as in this case, when irritation of the nerve or the bursae may lead directly to bursitis and synovitis.