What condition is described when a patient experiences pain on the sole of the foot between the third and fourth toes?

The condition characterized by pain on the sole of the foot between the third and fourth toes is known as Morton's neuroma. This condition involves the thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to the toes, often caused by repetitive irritation, which may be exacerbated by certain types of footwear. Patients typically report a sharp, burning pain, as well as numbness or tingling in the affected toes.

Morton's neuroma commonly presents with discomfort that worsens during activities that put pressure on the forefoot, such as walking or running. It may also be alleviated by removing footwear or by massaging the area. The location of the pain specifically between the third and fourth toes is a classic hallmark of this neuroma.

Other options do not align with the specific presentation of pain in this area. A plantar wart is a wart on the sole of the foot that usually presents as a small, raised lesion and does not typically cause pain localized to that specific space. A foreign body would usually present with a sudden onset of pain and might have a more acute cause; therefore, the symptoms would likely vary greatly. Metatarsalgia refers to pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot, which can affect different areas and is not confined