Morton's Neuroma

[jewels5]

I have a history of getting this in my left foot, which first started years ago when I was running and waiting tables at the same time in college. When I was first diagnosed the doctor gave me a shot of cortisone and it worked like magic. It has come and go over the years, but always mildly until last year about a year ago. My doctor "prescribed" insoles with metatarsal pads, which helped a ton and I've been wearing them in my workout shoes and slippers ever since.

Last week I was doing Hiit 30/30 for the first time (mostly modified for low impact) and the ball of my foot has been tingling ever since. Even when I'm wearing the insoles my foot tingles with each step or even if I just wiggle my toes.

If you've had this do you know if this is common? I was hoping it would have gone away by now and really don't want another shot of cortisone as I also had one in my knee last year. I know you can only get so many of them.

If you have any experience with this I would really appreciate it!

Thanks!

Julie

 

[gillianorr]

Oh Julie...so sorry to hear this! While I haven't heard of the tingling lasting this long non-stop I have had several clients find relief by filling a small plastic water bottle with water, freezing it, then rolling their foot over it and then avoiding any repetitive pounding movements...especially for the ball of the foot. Easier said than done for someone who loves to train like you do!!

I can't blame you for not wanting more shots...but it may be worth a conversation with your doctor...!! Keep us posted!

 

[jewels5]

Thanks Gillian!

I will definitely try that (already have the water bottle in the freezer ). I'm not certain on the number of cortisone shots you can have, just going from memory. But I'll definitely ask about if I end up back at the doctor.

Thanks again!

Julie

 

[ElaineP]

I suffered from Morton's Neuroma this past summer. This is what helped me. I had a marble like inflamation and numbness in my toes (3rd & 4th) from doing the elliptical. I bought a product called, "Flex Tastic". It is a gel toe seperator, like you would wear to put nail polish on your toe nails.
Every couple of hours I would put this on my toes and rest my toes on an ice pack. I did this for 10 min. at a shot. I also started to wear Vibram five fingers. Seperating my toes helped the nerve have room, so it was not being irritated and pushed on. This and advil helped the inflamation goe down.

I still have to be very careful with what shoes I wear and what type of activity I do. I still can't do the elliptical.

I bought the gel toe seperator at walgreens.

Good luck.

 

[jewels5]

Thanks Elaine! I'm sorry to hear you are still battling with this somewhat.

I'm going to try the two things you recommended. I checked them both out on Amazon and they seem like they would be helpful. I iced it this morning and that helped too.

I'm also taking an anti-inflammatory medicine that my doctor gave me when I had this last time but I never took. I figure it couldn't hurt since I'm also getting intermittent pain from shin splints. Feels like I'm falling apart.

Thanks again!

Julie

 

[LastTango]

I had this years ago, as a result of working at a job that required much walking on hard floors in dress shoes. Mine would cause pain up to my knee. In the end, I had surgery to remove the affected nerve. It was pretty simple, and I have no problems since.

I just have to make sure and wear really good, padded shoes. I work in a lab now, and do a lot of walking/standing, so it is a must.

 

[booboo39]

Been there!

I have struggled with this for two years. I ignored that strange tingling/zapping/numbness twitch and the neuroma took over my life! Woke up one day and found that I could not bear ANY weight on my foot. After 4 cortisone shots over 9 months it made no difference. Next was a cam boot that kept the foot immobile for 5 weeks. Helped somewhat. Then physical therapy (massage which hurt and then sound wave therapy) which helped somewhat. Then I had custom made orthotics that felt like there was a golf ball under the arch but I got used to it in about 48 hours. This was due to the orthotics being structured in a manner that supports my falling arch as I have always had unusually high arches. However high arches may not be your issue.
Cortisone shots can be helpful but like all steroids not good it you get too many. Consider your arches, are they high? If so it could be that the arches are beginning to fall which could further exacerbate the neuroma. The toe gel separator can help also as well as icing the sole of the foot as well as the top. Maybe see your podiatrist and inquire about alcohol/glycerin shots (I think that is what they are called). Some people have had great success others not so good.

The bottom line was that I could never wear heels again. I only wore them 3 or 4 times a year but now never. The orthotics were lifesavers! No more high impact exercise EVER. Not that I did much of that anyway. Good supportive footwear has made a world of difference. While those kinds of shoes tend to be less than fashionable one learns that the trade off is worth it to be pain free. It is my understanding that neuromas do not go away entirely but one can do things to get it under control. If not then surgery is the last alternative and one really wants to avoid that if possible.

Best of luck and wishing you and your feet a pain free Christmas season.
Booboo39

 

[jonahnah]

I have a history of getting this in my left foot, which first started years ago when I was running and waiting tables at the same time in college. When I was first diagnosed the doctor gave me a shot of cortisone and it worked like magic. It has come and go over the years, but always mildly until last year about a year ago. My doctor "prescribed" insoles with metatarsal pads, which helped a ton and I've been wearing them in my workout shoes and slippers ever since.

Last week I was doing Hiit 30/30 for the first time (mostly modified for low impact) and the ball of my foot has been tingling ever since. Even when I'm wearing the insoles my foot tingles with each step or even if I just wiggle my toes.

If you've had this do you know if this is common? I was hoping it would have gone away by now and really don't want another shot of cortisone as I also had one in my knee last year. I know you can only get so many of them.

If you have any experience with this I would really appreciate it!

Thanks!

Julie

It sounds like you've gotten some great advice already so I just wanted to chime in to say that cortisone injections in the same site should be limited.

So, just because you had one in your knee last year, it doesn't mean you can't have another in your foot. I'm sure there's plenty of debate about this, but 2-3 shots per year (per site) is the typical limit. Some doctors go up to 4 (or possibly even more) depending on the patient's pain.

HTH and that you're feeling better soon~

 

[jewels5]

I had this years ago, as a result of working at a job that required much walking on hard floors in dress shoes. Mine would cause pain up to my knee. In the end, I had surgery to remove the affected nerve. It was pretty simple, and I have no problems since.

I just have to make sure and wear really good, padded shoes. I work in a lab now, and do a lot of walking/standing, so it is a must.

I'm sorry it resulted in surgery for you, but glad to hear you haven't had any problems since. I always have shoes on, and try to wear orthotics in them when I can. We have wood floors and I've found that I absolutely can't go barefooted on them!

 

[jewels5]

I have struggled with this for two years. I ignored that strange tingling/zapping/numbness twitch and the neuroma took over my life! Woke up one day and found that I could not bear ANY weight on my foot. After 4 cortisone shots over 9 months it made no difference. Next was a cam boot that kept the foot immobile for 5 weeks. Helped somewhat. Then physical therapy (massage which hurt and then sound wave therapy) which helped somewhat. Then I had custom made orthotics that felt like there was a golf ball under the arch but I got used to it in about 48 hours. This was due to the orthotics being structured in a manner that supports my falling arch as I have always had unusually high arches. However high arches may not be your issue.
Cortisone shots can be helpful but like all steroids not good it you get too many. Consider your arches, are they high? If so it could be that the arches are beginning to fall which could further exacerbate the neuroma. The toe gel separator can help also as well as icing the sole of the foot as well as the top. Maybe see your podiatrist and inquire about alcohol/glycerin shots (I think that is what they are called). Some people have had great success others not so good.

The bottom line was that I could never wear heels again. I only wore them 3 or 4 times a year but now never. The orthotics were lifesavers! No more high impact exercise EVER. Not that I did much of that anyway. Good supportive footwear has made a world of difference. While those kinds of shoes tend to be less than fashionable one learns that the trade off is worth it to be pain free. It is my understanding that neuromas do not go away entirely but one can do things to get it under control. If not then surgery is the last alternative and one really wants to avoid that if possible.

Best of luck and wishing you and your feet a pain free Christmas season.
Booboo39

That's interesting...I do have pretty high arches. My feet also over-pronate, and in general just seemed to be pretty messed up! I agree with you on the supportive footwear. I never thought I would find myself in those "comfort shoe" type shoe stores, but their shoes are definitely worth it (for me)! Just looking at pointed shoes makes my feet hurt.

Thanks for all the info!

 

[jewels5]

It sounds like you've gotten some great advice already so I just wanted to chime in to say that cortisone injections in the same site should be limited.

So, just because you had one in your knee last year, it doesn't mean you can't have another in your foot. I'm sure there's plenty of debate about this, but 2-3 shots per year (per site) is the typical limit. Some doctors go up to 4 (or possibly even more) depending on the patient's pain.

HTH and that you're feeling better soon~

Hmmm...I did not know this! That makes a BIG difference, so I appreciate you letting me know!

Thanks again everyone for all the feedback!

Julie

 

[katzrkool]

forefoot pain

For those of you who have been using some type of insole (over the counter) I'm just wondering what brand/type you are using. I have been trying the spenco rx ball of foot pads (I probably don't have that quite right) and this just makes the pain seem worse. Also what brand/model of sneaker has anyone had luck with. This pain in very bad and I have gotten to the point that I can barely do any kind of work out due to this and I am on my feet all the time since I am a nurse. I went to a podiatrist with not much from him.

 

[jewels5]

katzrkool,

I'm sorry about the pain, I have definitely been there. I wear Lynco Orthotics (both sports and "regular"). Believe it or not, I think they help more than the custom orthotics my podiatrist made. I bought the regular over-the-counter orthotics for my slippers at home because I'm on my feet so much and our hardwood floors make the neuroma flare up. Also, you might want to check out Dansko for nursing shoes.

Hope that helps!

Julie