title: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for interdigital neuroma: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We sought to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy as a therapeutic treatment for destroying Morton's neuroma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients (25 feet) were included in the study. Indications for participation were more than 8 months of conservative care with a visual analog scale pain score of 4 or greater. The mean overall pain score on a modified visual analog scale was 6.9 preoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen patients were randomized to the active group and 12 to the sham group. Two patients in the sham group were lost to follow-up. Post-treatment evaluations were performed at 1, 6, and 12 weeks by a blinded investigator (L.W.). The end point evaluation parameter was the reduction in visual analog scale score. The treatment group showed a significant difference before and after extracorporeal shockwave therapy (P < .0001). The sham group did not have a significant difference after 12 weeks (P = .1218).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a possible alternative to surgical excision for Morton's neuroma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fridman
authors.forename: Jarrett D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Cain
authors.forename: Lowell
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weil
mesh_terms: D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005545:Forefoot, Human; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009463:Neuroma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome