Deano's Blog: M...M...M...My Neuroma

Anybody out there, besides me, dealing with Morton’s Neuroma?

Am I the only one who feels like there’s a red-hot spike that’s been driven through the top of their foot right between their second and third toes and with every strike of their foot they want to just cry? I know it sounds like I’m a big wimp but until you’ve run with MR. MORTON and felt his wrath you don’t have a leg…foot to stand on.

I realized I had this lovely little S.O.B. while I was training for the 2003 NYC Marathon.

Fortunately I was able to deal with it, and I made it through the marathon. I guess it was a baby neuroma at that time. But over the years he has grown and now I feel he is pissed off.

There are some things I‘ve done to help, larger shoes, wider widths, and pads under the metatarsal. Last year I had cortisone shot to see if that would help, it didn’t. In fact it made it worse.

This past Saturday I did 15 and it was the most painful of my running career. I’m going out this morning for 7 and I’m going to seriously think about this. Do I really want to train to get there and do worse than I’ve ever done? I feel the point of training is to better your body so you can do better than your previous endeavor, and although I may be in better condition, dealing with this neuroma just gets worse. What I wouldn’t give to run pain free. Okay, I’ll shut up and run.

Deano

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Sep 11, 2008 12:53 PM

Christine K. Donovan says:

Hi Deano,

Yes, it's me, Christine. Do you think I'm the only one who reads your blogs? I hope not, because if I am, people are really missing out on some fun blogs!

Ok, you're not going to believe this, but yes, I had a Mortons Neuroma two years ago and I can relate to your pain. To me, it felt like I had a small stone in between those toes. It hurt like heck, and the more I was active like in running, the worse it got. Yes, it does grow, and the larger it is, the worse the pain.

So, after doing everything you mentioned; cortisone, bigger shoes, etc. my Podiatrist recommended the only thing that will truly get rid of it. Can you guess? Yes.. surgery. But it went well, I was off my feet for a week, and then back to teaching.... pain free! I had to have surgery because teaching PE is my livelihood, and I'm on my feet all the time. The only other choice was to suffer in pain, and you know what that feels like.

I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do. I feel for you because I know you are training hard for the NYC Marathon. That is a tough one.... but then on the otherhand you don't want to jepordize your foot and be in such constant pain. My thoughts and prayers will be with you during your run. I truly know how painful it is.

Take care,

Christine

Sep 23, 2008 11:43 AM