Morton Neuroma Surgery: Relation Clinical Results to Excised Sample Length

Background:Morton’s neuroma (MN) is mechanical neuropathy of plantar interdigital nerve. It is one of the most common causes of forefoot pain. One of the most undesirable complications of MN surgery is recurrent neuroma. Excision level of MN is important to prevent recurrence. In this study, we aimed to find the relation resection lenght of MN to clinical results of MN surgery cases. Methods:76 samples sent with the diagnosis of Morton neuroma to the pathology department of our hospital between years 2010-2019. 66 patients whose clinical results were available were included in the study. Mean age was 41,5 (between 21 to 70). All of 66 patients were primary diagnosed 22 of them was left foot and the other 170 were right foot. 50 of them were female, and 16 were male. Recurrent neuromas, pathological sample more than one piece from one surgical site were excluded from the study. 72 of them were evaluated as a clinically and compare the sample lenght.Results:76 pathological specimens were prepared and examined by the same pathologist. Gross pathological appearance and histopathology findings were recorded. Mean sample length was 2,05 cm (between 0,7cm and 3,5 cm). 68 samples was smaller (89.5%) than 3 cm and only 8 sample (10.5%) was bigger than 3 cm. Average interdigital neuroma score improved from 20 to 62 points following the surgery (p<0.05).Conclusion:We recommend that, the common digital nerve should be cut from the proximal as much as possible to bury the proximal stump into the lumbrical muscles regardless of the sample size and using loupe magnification, careful and sharp dissection can be prevent injury to the PDNB.Level of Evidence: 2

Level of Excision Matters in Morton Neuroma Surgery.

Introduction: Morton’s neuroma (MN) is mechanical neuropathy of plantar interdigital nerve. It is one of the most common causes of forefoot pain. One of the most undesirable complications of MN surgery is recurrent neuroma. Excision level of MN is important to prevent recurrence. In this study, we aimed to figure out preferred excision levels of orthopedic surgeons by evaluating pathological samples. Methods: 192 samples sent with the diagnosis of Morton neuroma to the pathology department of our hospital between years 2010-2017 were added to our study. Mean age was 45,8 (between 23 to 73). All of 192 patients were primary diagnosed 22 of them was left foot and the other 170 were right foot was. 139 of them were female, and 53 were male. Recurrent neuromas, pathological sample more than one piece from one surgical site were excluded from the study. Results: 192 pathological specimens were prepared and examined by the same pathologist. Gross pathological appearance and histopathology findings were recorded. Mean sample length was 2,05 cm (between 0,8cm and 6 cm).145 samples was smaller (75.5%) than 3cm and only 47 sample (24.5%) was bigger than 3 cm.Conclusion: In conclusion our database results showed that majority of surgeons didn't take into account plantarly directed nerve branches.