What is the Difference Between Metatarsalgia and Morton’s Neuroma?

Metatarsalgia and Morton's Neuroma are two conditions that can cause pain in the ball of the foot, making it difficult to differentiate between them. However, there are some key differences in the location and type of pain, as well as other symptoms:

Location of pain: Morton's Neuroma usually affects the tissue around the plantar digital nerve between the 3rd and 4th toes, while metatarsalgia pain occurs under the balls of the feet beneath the 2nd and 3rd metatarsals.
Type of pain: Morton's Neuroma often starts as a numbing and tingling sensation, which worsens and becomes painful. In contrast, metatarsalgia often begins as a dull, aching pain that progresses to a sharp, shooting pain.
Clicking sensation: Morton's Neuroma may present with a mass and a clicking sensation around the 3rd and 4th toes, while there is no such lump with metatarsalgia.
Causes: Metatarsalgia can be caused by various factors, including being overweight, overuse, unsupportive footwear, and an enlarged nerve in the ball of the foot (Morton's neuroma). Morton's Neuroma is a condition brought on by injuries to the nerves and tendons in the foot, heel, or toes, causing swelling, pain, and a mass of tissue growth around the nerves as a bodily response to protect the nerves.

To diagnose and treat either condition, it is essential to consult a medical professional who can help determine the cause of the pain and recommend appropriate treatment options.

On this page

What is the Difference Between Metatarsalgia and Morton’s Neuroma?

Comparative Table: Metatarsalgia vs Morton’s Neuroma

Metatarsalgia and Morton's Neuroma are two different foot conditions that can cause pain in the ball of the foot. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:

Feature	Metatarsalgia	Morton's Neuroma
Definition	Metatarsalgia is a condition that affects the metatarsal region of the foot, causing pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot.	Morton's Neuroma is a condition caused by an injury to the nerves in the foot, leading to swelling, pain, and a mass of tissue growth around the nerves as a bodily response to protect the nerves.
Causes	Metatarsalgia can be caused by various factors, including wearing improper footwear, participating in high-impact activities, or having other medical issues such as obesity or aging.	Morton's Neuroma is usually caused by injuries to the nerves and tendons in the foot, heel, or toes, resulting in swelling, pain, and tissue growth around the nerves.
Symptoms	Pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot.	Pain around the ball of the foot, a small growth of tissue around the middle toes and ball of the foot, and similar pain to that of standing on a small stone.
Treatment	Conservative treatments include footwear modifications, orthoses, and local anesthesia and corticosteroid injections. Surgery is considered the most efficient method of treatment for Morton's Neuroma.

While both conditions can cause pain in the ball of the foot, the key difference between metatarsalgia and Morton's Neuroma is that metatarsalgia is a broader condition affecting the metatarsal region, whereas Morton's Neuroma specifically involves the thickening of the tissue around a nerve in the foot.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.