Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What condition is characterized by pain between the third and fourth toes, often described as feeling like a pebble in the shoe?

1. Plantar wart

2. Foreign body

3. Morton's neuroma

4. Metatarsalgia

The correct answer is: Morton's neuroma

The condition characterized by pain between the third and fourth toes, often described as feeling like a pebble in the shoe, is indeed Morton's neuroma. This condition occurs due to the thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to the toes, which typically manifests as a sharp, burning pain or a feeling of having a lump or pebble in the shoe. It often occurs in individuals who wear tight shoes or participate in high-impact activities that put stress on the feet. Understanding the specific nature of the pain and the anatomical location helps in identifying Morton's neuroma over other conditions. For instance, plantar warts are localized growths on the foot due to a viral infection and do not typically present with the same radiating pain or sensation. A foreign body may cause pain but would also present with signs of trauma or infection, while metatarsalgia generally refers to generalized pain in the ball of the foot rather than localized pain between the toes. Thus, the specific symptom profile of feeling a "pebble in the shoe" distinctly aligns with Morton's neuroma, making it the correct answer.