8,153
edits
Changes
From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
no edit summary
Morton's Neuroma is a common problem with runners , and there are a number of simple fixes you can try before resorting more drastic solutions like sclerosing or surgery. A Morton's Neuroma normally causes a burning pain in the forefoot, just behind the 3rd and 4th toes (sometimes behind the 2nd and 3rd toes). The pain often radiates towards the toes, and sometimes there is numbness rather than pain. The underlying cause is inflammation of the nerve between the bones of the forefoot, often triggered by narrow or tight [[Shoes|shoes]]. I have had good results with the simple fixes described below, and I have had reports of other runners with similar success. {{DISPLAYTITLE:Mortons Neuroma, symptoms and fixes}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
===Overnight Stretch Sock===
I found that using [http://go.fellrnr.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=SocksSM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwwwwww.amazon.com%2FComfy/Comfy-Alignment-Socks-Small-Medium%2Fdp%2FB001RYWZN8 /dp/B001RYWZN8 "Comfy Toes Foot Alignment Socks"] has provided me with more relief than any of the other treatments I tried. A similar product is [http://go.fellrnr.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=HappyFeet&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwwwwww.amazon.com%2FHappy/Happy-Feet-Womens-Original-Alignment%2Fdp%2FB005GYVYQ4 /dp/B005GYVYQ4 Happy Feet]. These socks are intended to be used so that they stretch the gap between each toe, as shown below. I wore the socks like this overnight and found it helped quite a bit, but it did trigger quite a bit of pain as the toes were stretched in the night. (You can see the scar tissue on my feet from [[Epidermolysis Bullosa]].)
[[File:ToeStretcherIntended.jpg|none|thumb|250px|This is how the socks are supposed to be used.]]
I changed the usage so that all the stretch was between the toes that have the Mortons Neuroma, as shown below. This increased the stretch quite a bit and relieved the Mortons Neuroma further. It also reduced the pain I experienced overnight from the stretch.
The following are a list of other possible approaches to treating a Morton's Neuroma. None of these worked very well for me, but Your Mileage May Vary.
* Check for alternative causes. One runner found their pain was caused by calluses!
* Toe stretchers can help spread the metatarsal heads. I've used [http://go.fellrnr.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=toes&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwwwwww.amazon.com%2FTelebrands/Telebrands-PC-PAMPEREDTOES-Deluxe-Pampered-Toes%2Fdp%2FB002HMCIOK /dp/B002HMCIOK Pampered Toes] and it seems to help a little.
* Many people find that a metatarsal pad in their shoes help relieve the problem. I know of runners who will not run without metatarsal pads.
* Orthotics may help, though I personally dislike orthotics and believe they are likely to cause other problems.
* A simpler alternative to orthotics is to build up the insole of your shoes under the first metatarsal and big toe area. This can reduce the pressure on the nerve. The insole can be build up with layers of duct tape and I know of at least one runner who has benefited from this approach.
* Cortisone injections can help reduce the inflammation of the nerve, but often multiple injections are requiredand the relief may be temporary. Typically injections are given 1-3 weeks apart. * Injections of alcohol can be used to kill off (sclerosing) the nerve.
* If nothing else works, the nerve can be surgically removed, which is generally successful, though there are cases of the end of the removed nerve becoming inflamed and causing problems. If this approach is taken, it is recommended that the nerve is removed through the top of the foot to prevent problems with the sole of the foot and reduce recovery times.
* X-Rays and a professional evaluation can be useful to rule out other possible problems.
