US and MRI of the Forefoot: Intermetatarsal Bursitis or Morton's Neuroma

Rigshospitalet

Status: Invitation-only

Conditions: Morton Neuroma; Intermetatarsal Bursitis; Intermetatarsal Neuroma

Treatments: Diagnostic Test: MRI with contrast; Diagnostic Test: Ultrasound

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05685160

H-20067346

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence of intermetatarsal bursitis and Morton's neuroma in patients with metatarsalgia (i.e. pain in the forefoot) and control subjects by diagnostic imaging with ultrasound and MRI.

Full description

In a group of patients with intermetatarsal pain found by an orthopedic surgeon, the investigators want to assess the incidences of intermetatarsal bursitis and Morton's neuroma, using diagnostic imaging; ultrasound and MRI.

The hypothesis is, that intermetatarsal bursitis is an overlooked diagnosis in patients with metatarsalgia. As a result of sparse literature and lack of knowledge about this condition with symptoms mimicking Morton's neuroma, a part of patients diagnosed with Morton's neuroma, suffers from intermetatarsal bursitis instead.

Additionally, the investigators want to evaluate the clinical sign opening toes.

Based on clinical photos of the feet, the investigators want to document the presence of opening toes and investigate if there is a correlation with either intermetatarsal bursitis and/or Morton's neuroma.

Enrollment: 75 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age > 18 years
• Pain in an intermetatarsal space (patient group)

Exclusion criteria

• Age <18 years
• Open wounds or ongoing infection in the forefoot at the time of examination
• Persons with contraindications to participate in MRI scan
• Persons with a history of significant trauma in the forefoot, e.g. any fracture or previous surgeries in the forefoot
• Persons who have previously received treatment for Morton's neuroma in the same foot, e.g. injection (within 6 months) or operation (anytime)
• Persons with severely impaired renal function (GFR <30 ml/min)
• Persons with a systemic inflammatory condition like rheumatoid arthritis, due to clinically silent intermetatarsal bursitis in this group (control group)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Diagnostic

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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75 participants in 2 patient groups

Patient group

Experimental group

Description:

Patients with intermetatarsal pain have ultrasound and MRI done

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Ultrasound

Diagnostic Test: MRI with contrast

Control group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Healthy individuals (no forefoot pain) undergo ultrasound and MRI scan of the forefoot.

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Ultrasound

Diagnostic Test: MRI with contrast