Treatment of Mortons Neuroma - intense burning pain in ball of foot

[rod9301]

Still fighting this, but have been moving the right direction. Currently good until about the 3 hour tour mark, then things start to go downhill managbly, but i shudder to think of a 5 hour tour.

Trying to decide my next move, wondering if I should do another small punch, or try and get custom orthotics made. The SOLE inserts did help, but my main question is this:
For those who have tried both will a pedortho make something better, or will it just be a $250 version of the SOLE product?
The boots aren't exactly a tight fit, so hesitant to keep punching, unless that's what I have to do.

I found that there shouldn't be ANY lateral pressure at the widest part of the foot from the boot

Sent from my moto g 5G using Tapatalk

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Still fighting this, but have been moving the right direction. Currently good until about the 3 hour tour mark, then things start to go downhill managbly, but i shudder to think of a 5 hour tour.

Trying to decide my next move, wondering if I should do another small punch, or try and get custom orthotics made. The SOLE inserts did help, but my main question is this:
For those who have tried both will a pedortho make something better, or will it just be a $250 version of the SOLE product?
The boots aren't exactly a tight fit, so hesitant to keep punching, unless that's what I have to do.

You need a metatarsal arch pad or an orthotic with one built in. It’ll keep your metatarsals spread and take pressure off the neuroma. Most(none?) off the shelf insoles have much if any metatarsal pad. Try putting a pad under or on top of your insoles in that little pocket behind the metatarsal heads. You’ll probably find relief.

You can get punches or a wider boot but the metatarsal arch will still collapse without a pad and that’s what puts pressure on the neuroma.

Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[yeahman]

I would do both the metatarsal pad and another punch. An all of the above approach is best. I assume you are using toe sock liners. If not you should be.

The pads can be uncomfortable at first but you'll get used to them. Once the pain goes away completely I think you can stop with the pads, unless you start feeling twinges of pain again.

I've never used any sort of custom ortho, just those blue footbeds sold OTC.

[Yukonrider]

I assume you are using toe sock liners. If not you should be.

Toe sock liners?

I decided today I should get another punch. Seems as my feet swell my feet get squeezed. They feel really roomy to start the day, then slowly get tighter.

[yeahman]

Toe sock liners?

They really help keep your toes and metatarsals spread out rather than scrunched. I don't need them skiing anymore but if I go for a long hike or to bag a peak I always wear them and they help a lot.

Injinji Liner Crew Toesocks https://a.co/d/dQQxNa7

I wear a thin regular wool sock over them.

[old goat]

It might be worth a visit to a podiatrist to see if the SOLE's metpad is adequate and in the right place for your foot--bring your boots. Looking at the online photo of the met pad version it does look like the met pad is pretty thin, although hard to be sure from a picture. If it's not adequate you can stick on a pad to beef it up. I wouldn't think a full custom-made insole would be any better for plantar neuromas unless the SOLE met pad isn't in the right place for your foot.

[Core Shot]

Another thought. Sometimes it’s the liner.

Went for another punch after it still hurt with one punch and top skill level ski footbeds with a met bump.
He refused the punch.

Took the liner out and made vertical gull slits ( only through the outer liner skin - not all the way through) on the knuckle of my little toe ( or whatever the fuck you call it - distal metatarsal??)

That provided more relief.
If your liner is tight punching the shell won’t help.

[rod9301]

On a tight liner you could make a slit in the sole

Sent from my moto g 5G using Tapatalk

[old goat]

Another thought. Sometimes it’s the liner.

Went for another punch after it still hurt with one punch and top skill level ski footbeds with a met bump.
He refused the punch.

Took the liner out and made vertical gull slits ( only through the outer liner skin - not all the way through) on the knuckle of my little toe ( or whatever the fuck you call it - distal metatarsal??)

That provided more relief.
If your liner is tight punching the shell won’t help.

Proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)

[Core Shot]

Proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)

Thx Doc!

[zion zig zag]

I've got new ski touring boots this year. I'm hoping I can get them to where spring steeps skiing is fun and pain free for me again.

Bump and back again. I think I’m ready to throw in the towel and just get the surgery on my right foot. I’ve been in 5 different ski boots in 3 years, gotten custom insoles and visited two different highly recommended boot fitters. None of it seems to help if I spend more than 4-5 hours in boots or if I am on hard snow.

This spring looks like I’ll miss out on climbing and skiing mountains because my feet hurt too much to do it, or I’ll be recovering from the surgery. At least one of those tracks puts me in a position to return to spring season next year.

[rod9301]

Are you sure that your boots or shoes are wide enough?

And you have a pad on the orthotics to spread your toes?

Surgery success is not great.

Since the neuroma is caused by mechanical issues, mostly narrow shoes, it can only be fixed by mechanical means.

I had it for many years and finally cured it 7 years ago by making sure my bc boots were wide enough

Sent from my moto g 5G using Tapatalk

[zion zig zag]

Are you sure that your boots or shoes are wide enough?

And you have a pad on the orthotics to spread your toes?

Surgery success is not great.

Since the neuroma is caused by mechanical issues, mostly narrow shoes, it can only be fixed by mechanical means.

I had it for many years and finally cured it 7 years ago by making sure my bc boots were wide enough

Sent from my moto g 5G using Tapatalk

I went wider and wider till the bootfitter said you have too much foot movement and that irritates the neuroma. So I went back to gentle support, custom footbeds, and yes pad on the footbed to spread. None of it does much. I can manage the pain in any other type of footwear than ski boots.

My surgery on my left foot seems successful, I'm 5 years out this summer and no more pain. I have seen some websites that claim 70% of surgeries are unsuccessful, but they all seem to be selling some other solution. Do you have any real studies that show stats of outcomes?