Morton's Neuroma

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rochrunner

953 posts since
Aug 14, 2007

Apr 26, 2007 8:26 AM

Morton's Neuroma

Self-diagnosis can be dangerous, but this condition sure seems to fit most of my symptoms. When it first started, I just felt like my sock was bunched up under the ball of my foot, or I had something in my shoe. Now it comes and goes, and is occasionally a bit sore, which I can feel by pressing between my 2nd and 3rd toes.

So, any experience here with this ailment? Any advice? I seem to recall having had this problem a few years ago, but don't remember what -- if anything -- I did to get rid of it.

Just don't tell me to stop running!

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- Runnin' in Rochester

Rochrunner[/URL" target="_blank">

runrgrl1

237 posts since
May 16, 2002

1. Apr 26, 2007 8:50 AM

in response to: rochrunner

Ugh, this is the one that sidelined me the year before last. I had, what my podiatrist called, "the largest neuroma" he'd ever seen. My symptoms sound different than yours, however, because my pain was on the top of my foot between the 3rd & 4th toes. Do you feel it in that area, too? What worked for me was a metatarsel pad and weekly injections to the neuroma. The pad helped keep that area between my toes spread out. In my case it was shoes w/ a too narrow toebox that caused my problems.
I did have to stop running for a while because mine was so severe...........sorry, I had to say it.

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"It's never too late to be what you might have been."

MarkGuy051

542 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

2. Apr 26, 2007 8:53 AM

in response to: rochrunner

No advice, just empathy. Maybe it was that shoe switch recently? Good luck treating it.

Mark

Itchy Brother

18 posts since
Oct 24, 2007

3. Apr 26, 2007 8:59 AM

in response to: rochrunner

I kept running with mine between the 3rd and 4th toes. It had been giving me grief since the mid 90's.
I finally had to have it removed - THAT will stop your running for a couple months. Get thyself to a DPM pronto and nip the sucker if you can.
Itchy

rochrunner

953 posts since
Aug 14, 2007

4. Apr 26, 2007 9:20 AM

in response to: rochrunner

quote:<HR>Originally posted by runrgrl1:
My symptoms sound different than yours, however, because my pain was on the top of my foot between the 3rd & 4th toes. Do you feel it in that area, too?<HR>

Actually, you're right. It is more in front of the ball than under the ball itself. I've heard about the toebox issue too, so I think I'll stick with my Addictions for a while since they are definitely roomier in that area than my other shoes. And I'll make sure to always use my orthotics since I've been getting a bit lax about them as well.

I think I'll give this a week or so to see if it eases off before going to see a dr. about it.

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- Runnin' in Rochester

Rochrunner[/URL" target="_blank">

DaveinAA035

742 posts since
Dec 18, 2005

5. Apr 26, 2007 11:00 AM

in response to: rochrunner

Good luck, Doug, from one lazy orthotics user to another. Keep us posted--we're counting on you for Dexter-AA!

tselbs

1,215 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

6. Apr 26, 2007 12:31 PM

in response to: rochrunner

I've no experience here, Doug, but wish you well in resolving the problem. If it seems to want to hang on, give strong consideration to seeing a doctor.

TomS

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Dark Horse

1,684 posts since
Oct 9, 2005

7. Apr 26, 2007 12:52 PM

in response to: rochrunner

Doug,

I had this same frigging thing about 10 years ago. I self-diagnosed that it was caused by my warmup, which back then included running in place on a concrete gym floor in between calisthenics and stretching. This pounding on a hard surface, I believe, caused the neuroma.

I stopped running in place, and backed off on my running for several months, and after a year or so--I forget exactly how long--the problem went away.

I should mention that I also went to the doctor, who tried giving me a shot of cortisone in the ball of my foot, using a big horse-needle. It was such a gruesome procedure, even the doctor winced as he pushed the big needle into my foot. As far as I could tell, the cortisone shot did absolutely nothing for me, just like all other cortisone shots I have gotten in other parts of my body over the years.

Dark Horse

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I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course

runrgrl1

237 posts since
May 16, 2002

8. Apr 26, 2007 1:22 PM

in response to: rochrunner

I had alcohol injections, not cortisone, and they seemed to help.........but not a whole lotta fun.

I should mention that I also went to the doctor, who tried giving me a shot of cortisone in the ball of my foot, using a big horse-needle. It was such a gruesome procedure, even the doctor winced as he pushed the big needle into my foot. As far as I could tell, the cortisone shot did absolutely nothing for me, just like all other cortisone shots I have gotten in other parts of my body over the years.

Dark Horse

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"It's never too late to be what you might have been."

LaTortuga13

1,786 posts since
Nov 12, 2007

9. Apr 26, 2007 3:20 PM

in response to: rochrunner

quote:<HR>Originally posted by rochrunner:
I think I'll give this a week or so to see if it eases off before going to see a dr. about it.

<HR>

You could call about an appointment now as it might take a week to be seen. Don't assume the advice will be to stop running...

TedAndresen

231 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

10. Apr 26, 2007 8:18 PM

in response to: rochrunner

Doug,

I have been able to control my Morton?s Neuroma by doing the following:

I avoid walking on hard surfaces with my bare feet. I always wear slippers or soft in-house shoes.

I cut a 1? hole in the insole of my shoe just under the end of the metatarsal where the neuroma is located so the neuroma is unsupported.

I added heel gels to my shoes so that I take more of the impact load at foot strike off the fore-foot.

I started the laces on my shoes at the third eyelet up from the bottom so that the toe-box is very loose.

I also shopped for shoes that had netting around the sides of the toe box with no leather so that the toe box was basically open.

Hope that helps,

Ted