A wide variety of forefoot pathologies can result in pain and metatarsalgia. The anatomy of the forefoot will be reviewed with an emphasis on the inter-digital spaces and the plantar plates. Ultrasound is a fast and reliable technique for highlighting the anatomy and pathology of the forefoot and can be used to confidently diagnose between a Morton's neuroma, an inter-metatarsal bursa, or a plantar plate rupture.
This presentation and workshop will attempt to give some practical ideas and suggest a standard protocol that can be used to effectively scan the metatarsal spaces in a logical and systematic manner. The differences and similarities between a neuroma and a bursa seen by ultrasound will be demonstrated along with the ultrasound appearances of a partial or complete plantar plate rupture.