Leire Atilano1, Jose Ignacio Martin1, Gotzon Iglesias1, Isabel Andia2. 1. Department of Radiology, Interventional Echography, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain. 2. Regenerative Medicine, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: the Morton's complex, i.e. fibrotic mass enfolding the medial plantar nerve, the bursa and the interdigital transverse ligament in the web space, is a common cause of pain and functional disability. Conservative and operative treatments are investigated but currently the best approach to treat the Morton's complex is unknown. METHODS: we describe a non-invasive, straight forward intervention consisting on multiple percutaneous punctures, shearing the fibrotic tissue in lateromedial and anteroposterior directions. The goal is to break up fibrosis occupying the intermetatarsal space thus releasing the affected nerve from the adjacent structures, there by stimulating tissue remodelling. RESULTS: slow tissue remodelling occurs following sequential fibrosis cleavage through multiple needling. Needling of the intermetatarsal fibrosis is performed every eight weeks until pain resolution. Echographic changes are associated to pain reduction as measured by Visual Analogue Score (VAS). CONCLUSION: we present an original idea that may improve Morton's management. Upcoming prospective clinical studies have to demonstrate the symptomatic benefits and the usefulness of this novel echographic intervention.
BACKGROUND: the Morton's complex, i.e. fibrotic mass enfolding the medial plantar nerve, the bursa and the interdigital transverse ligament in the web space, is a common cause of pain and functional disability. Conservative and operative treatments are investigated but currently the best approach to treat the Morton's complex is unknown. METHODS: we describe a non-invasive, straight forward intervention consisting on multiple percutaneous punctures, shearing the fibrotic tissue in lateromedial and anteroposterior directions. The goal is to break up fibrosis occupying the intermetatarsal space thus releasing the affected nerve from the adjacent structures, there by stimulating tissue remodelling. RESULTS: slow tissue remodelling occurs following sequential fibrosis cleavage through multiple needling. Needling of the intermetatarsal fibrosis is performed every eight weeks until pain resolution. Echographic changes are associated to pain reduction as measured by Visual Analogue Score (VAS). CONCLUSION: we present an original idea that may improve Morton's management. Upcoming prospective clinical studies have to demonstrate the symptomatic benefits and the usefulness of this novel echographic intervention.
Authors: José M Climent; Francisco Mondéjar-Gómez; Carmen Rodríguez-Ruiz; Ismael Díaz-Llopis; Diego Gómez-Gallego; Patricia Martín-Medina Journal: Clin Drug Investig Date: 2013-07 Impact factor: 2.859