Morton's Neuroma

[jennajennajenna]

Starting a fresh thread on this. Anyone experiencing this? Any Maniacs who have gotten past this?

I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Thursday!

[Dr. S]

I think Trixiee did...

Good luck!

[Tori]

I had it. I needed a metatarsal pad put on my insole and it cleared up the problem pretty quickly for me.

[windrunner]

I had it about 7 years ago. was referred by my family doc to a podiatrist who suggested shoe insoles (with the appropriate padding around the metatarsal) or injection to kill the nerve...based on the latter suggestion i elected not to see him again.... it eventually resolved itself although still get a nervy feeling every once in a while...

[Doonst]

First thing to try is loosen your shoelaces, or get wider shoes.

[MINITEE]

I thought I had it last year this time. Turns out I have osteo-arthritis in the second metatarsal (toe beside the piggy that went to market) joint. *sigh*.

I've put the metatarsal gel pads in my shoe, which does provide some relief.

Jenna, I went through x-rays, bone scan and MRI to figure that out though. Fingers crossed you have a faster diagnosis to whatever it may be.

I agree with Sheldon though on really ensuring that your shoes aren't tied too tightly at the front, and that you have a wide enough toe box in your shoes.

[jennajennajenna]

thanks so much! sorry to hear about your OA - are you still moving well?

I'm thinking that the size too small shoes might have triggered this - I'm unsure. I'm on a forever-waiting list to have surgery so I may try the pads for the time being.

[rockstar79]

I had it. I needed a metatarsal pad put on my insole and it cleared up the problem pretty quickly for me.

Ditto. I also had laser treatment on it. It took a long time, but it's mostly better now. It still flares up when my shoes are ready to be replaced!

[VeloCarrie]

I was having these same symptoms on long runs (feet swelling a bit) and it went away after I bought new shoes a half a size up (that I wear specifically for long runs). I still wear the 9.5s for most other runs.

[jennajennajenna]

Had X-Ray on Monday, will find out complete results on Friday. Hope MRI's not next.

I've been running with my shoes loose and no socks and the pain actually has been going away after about 3-4 Kms....odd...but I'm not complaining! Once I'm out of my shoes, the pain seems to return. Ugh....!

[MINITEE]

thanks so much! sorry to hear about your OA - are you still moving well?.

Sorry, I missed this but just caught it on your update! There are good & bad days, I tape my foot when I'm running anything longer than an hour, which seems to help immensely. My fore-foot tends to spread when I land, so that keeps it a bit more "contained" On bad days, Aleve or Advil help.

Fingers crossed for you that the change in shoe size and addition of the metatarsal pad helps!

[jennajennajenna]

Hello Everyone I've missed you.

It looks like I'm on a very long waitlist for an MRI. Had an XRay (nothing showed up) and my Doc says he can feel a ball inside my foot.

The pain went away while I was running in Florida in the heat, on the flat. Now I'm back to hilly Sooke and the pain is insane again.

For those who are using a metatarsal pad - can you please recommend a brand? I've also loosened the toe box and still running barefoot (my feet are even more lovely!) but the pain is holding me back substantially.

Thanks, hope you're all well!

[Jo-Jo]

I can't make any recommendations.
Just wanted to say...I'm glad you missed us and welcome back

[jennajennajenna]

I can't make any recommendations.
Just wanted to say...I'm glad you missed us and welcome back

Thanks, JoJo! It has been a while...

[Spirit Unleashed]

I wore stiff hiking boots and took ibuprophen. I was back running in 3 weeks and it hasn't come back.

[~waves~]

Similar to others, I was diagnosed with a Morton's Neuroma and had a metatarsal pad placed on my orthotics. See any podiatrist and they can help. If you need orthotics though, hope you have insurance. They can be a little pricey.

Also note that I didn't wear those orthotics while running...too painful. But I wore them for everything else. It took time, but no problems now. Although sadly that may be due in part to an ongoing knee problem.

[jennajennajenna]

wow it's been a looooong time since I posted.

Got in to see Orth. Surgeon and nothing. Nothing on my MRI. His advice was...orthotics. I have heard so many bad things about orthotics. Anyone have input on this?

Meanwhile....I ended up taking some advice from other RM'ers. Trail Child and Minitee....I did loosen my shoes and I went up a half size. Success! Though my runs aren't completely pain-free, they are no longer debilitating. Also, I swapped over from Mizunos (which I ran on for 5 years) to Asics Cumulus and I'm loving the width and gel forefoot.

And...I gained 15 lbs in my off-season...eek. It's Mrs. Kiebler's awesome cookie recipes.

Race plans for everyone this year?? Can't wait to catch up in the GD forum.

[Cupcake Girl]

When I had this last year, a lot of the cause was a tight calf and tibialis anterior muscle, likely caused by the wrong orthodics and too rigid of a shoe. I did acupuncture. It was the only thing that released the tightness. I also stretched, but acupuncture was the winner.
Good luck.

[jennajennajenna]

So Happy!! After 2.5 years of pain I think I might have it figured out.

I have Morton's Toe!! My second and third toes are longer than the 'big' toe. Who knew. The calluses, the crooked hips, the TMJ...all possible effects from the MToe. I visited the Orthopaedic surgeon, got an MRI and no one brought up the actual shape of my foot. I've tried many shoes, gel pads and taping (which helped slightly).

I actually cried a few minutes ago in joy and relief (I'm not kidding you I'm welling up right now) because - you may all relate - I love running so much and haven't been able to run more than 10kms on an outing for almost 3 years.

Missed coming here and I support you all, but hearing about everyone's runs was hard after awhile.

Now to get healing!!

[toobusy]

How does that have any effect though? I would have thought that making you wore proper fitting (toe space) shoes would have been enough?