About 5 years ago I started having an odd sensation in my left foot. Knowing that I have a plate in it from breaking it in a bike accident in 1991 at first I just accepted it. I finally saw a podiatrist who said it was Morton’s Neuroma, a thickening of nerve tissue which occurs between the third and fourth toes. He told me to loosen the laces at the toe end and try a metatarsal pad. It helped. I changed shoes to Hoka’s. I only wore the pad for a short time and never looked back. Until a few months ago when it returned with a vengeance! I went to the podiatrist (a different doc) reporting I had MN. I was not impressed with the 10 minutes where she never touched my feet or watched me walk. She gave me more pads. I turned to the internet. I found several FB Groups for MN and chose one to join. I’ve learned so much there I wanted to record it here so I can send folks to the resources I’ve found helpful.
- This guy is a UK PT and he has shoe & exercise recommendations for each possible foot-related issue. This link is to MN and where I started.
- Correct Toes developed by Dr. Ray McClanahan is a toe separator device. He has a ton of related videos on YouTube. He’s located in Beaverton and has the NW Foot & Ankle Clinic there. He’s a good resource but I’m returned my CT ($65) for a $10 pair of Bohdi Feet that will do the trick I think.
- Learning about wide toe box shoes – she has a whole site of reviews & teaching
- Tried 4 pair of shoes from OrthoFeet they have a 60 day free return, no postage. I didn’t keep any of them.
- I also started wearing toe socks. There are many to choose from. So far I’ve only purchased Injiinji and Aonijie.
- These Foot Alignment Socks, not meant for inside shoes but for around-the-house.
- This woman PT has some good stuff too…
- Gait Analysis & online Consultation
- I read this book from the library: Simple Steps to Foot Pain Relief by Katy Bowman. It a useful overview, not specific to MN, offers exercises.
- I took Lucas’ Fix Your Feet Masterclass @ YogaBody. It’s quite educational and provided general foot exercises that I need to find time to integrate.
After all this research, here’s where I’m at. I’m stretching my calves on a slant board 10 minutes a day), wearing the Topo Atmos shoes with Injinji toe-socks, and a toe spreader socks overnight. Marco at REI highly recommended Altra Via Olympus 2 however I couldn’t find them in my size and I think they’re now discontinued. I’m now wearing these sandals Oboz Whakata sandals when cycling. I’m pretty much pain-free, so can’t complain. Time will tell. It’s not something that heals. Managing it so as not to get worse. When really bad there are injections followed by surgeries. I’m nowhere near there and hope I won’t be. Hope all this helps someone else.
UPDATE: In May I had an MRI that reported: 1. Intermetatarsal bursitis present, but no Morton’s neuroma. 2. Trace medial sesamoiditis present. 3. Mild to moderate degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia present. Curious, I turned to Dr. Google. This is a pretty good summary for Morton’s Neuroma and intermetatarsal bursitis. I’m hoping with all I’ve done to abate the symptoms of the bursitis that it won’t become a full on MN!