I came across an article under copyright, which had no public link. The link below has a table from the article, which shows that the unshod had twice the number of metatarsus atavicus. Despite this, the full article also stated, "complaints referable to the fore part of the foot were nonexistent" in the unshod sample. Perhaps, Morton's toe is a normal variant which becomes pathological with use of footwear. I wonder if the hypermobility of the metatarsus mitigates the risk of pathology due to metatarsus atavicus in the unshod.
europepmc.org/articles/PMC1967238/pdf/brmedj02916-0087c.pdf
Just need to clarify this for those reading: MN (Morton's Neuroma) and MT (Morton's Toe) are not related conditions. Perhaps the only commonality between them is having the "discoverer's" last name, although from two different men with the last name Morton, that is.
It's interesting that you hit upon this "theory," Sid, because it's the same thinking I have applied to Morton's Neuroma for years. I mean it's only common sense if people would think about it. Yet no doctors, studies, or articles that I can find make mention of this. (If you can find any, Sid, I would kiss your toes...well, not really. Hee.) Having narrowing spacing between the metatarsals (a normal variant as well, I'm sure) does not matter in barefoot communities because they don't wear footwear, and therefore, they don't develop MN (the pathology, end result). All studies on MN show the number one cause for it is the types of shoes we wear (narrow toe boxes and high heels). I have stated time and again that if those of us who suffer with MN had never worn shoes, yet stayed barefoot from birth, we would not be dealing with this dreaded condition.
And it's interesting, now, to apply this theory to those having MT. Just talking it out here... We have a very long thread here at the BRS called the Fellowship of the Morton's Toe, as you know. In it, you will find lots of folks who say that their MT doesn't bother them when they are shod (walking or running) but does bother them when they are barefoot. They need a toe "orthotic" or support to keep it straight and still, or they may try to tape it to the big toe; otherwise, they experience pain in various places around the forefoot because the second toe is bearing the load of the toe-off phase during the gait cycle. Perhaps those with MT who wear shoes are not troubled much by having MT because the shoe's forefoot "cage" supports and maintains it, and they continue to wear shoes hiding this fact? For the barefooters who have problems with their having MT, could this be because they too have not allowed this normal variant to function on its own and thereby stay strong? That once again, barefooting has exposed a defect not only hidden by shoes but caused by shoes?
Can you please share this info about the non-public, copyrighted link and the .PDF you found in the Studies forum? Better yet, do you know who I can write to to ask for permission to publish? Thanks.