Podiatrists - Morton's Neuroma, can I ever run again?
 

I've been wearing custom orthotics for over 5 years. Even with those on, I'd have to stay off my feet after running. My foot just hurts and swells up badly so I pop a few Advils for a couple of days. Is there a lasting remedy for Morton's Neuroma?

My brother is a podiatric surgeon and he thinks not, at least not for me. I need a second opinion. I think he's just being overprotective.

Yes, he should be able to give you the low down, orthotics, steroid injection, sclerosing injections(alcohol), surgery. Chance of stump neuroma if nerve is excised, but this can be addressed by sticking the cut end of the nerve into the bone.

If you brother is a food surgeon & he has actually examined you I would say you have a pretty good opinion right there. If he were a dentist that would be a different story.

Damn, sorry to hear this, Morton's is nasty. Yrs ago had one finally removed via the knife, after trying everything that there was to try. Now its just a numb slight burning feeling only when I walk without shoes, It kinda feels like walking on ballbearings. I trashed my feet by wearing 2 sizes smaller ski boots and rock climbing.

Can you run after the surgery, probably with good orthotics but I would seriously start considering stopping running and switching to biking, still get a good cardio workout without the punishment to your feet or back which if not bothering you now, well it will eventually.

Athletes are athletes.

If you can't run because of your foot, look into swimming or cycling. You'll probably dig cycling the best because of the places you get to see on a bike.

Besides, there are ALOT of Pelicans who ride, so you'll be in great company!

angela

I do ride actually. It's nice to be able to change things up though. Plus, biking involves a lot of bs whereas with running, ya just slip on trainers and go.

I've had a Morton's neuroma in my left foot for about 20 years and I've had two surgeries. Both times I've had surgery, the neuroma came back before the surgical wound healed. Tried the steroid injections, but that didn't help....

You have my sympathy. I run a 10k most days when I'm home, 30 miles per week/100 miles per month, I get about 6 months out of a pair of ASICS Gel Foundation shoes.

I developed plantar fascitis about two years ago on my left foot. I was 3/4 of the way through a 10k, and had to stop. I spent 6 weeks out of my shoes before I could run again- it drove me up the wall! I did Bally's, got kind of buff, but I hate the gym! Well, the podiatrist I went to taught me some stretches, and I've tamed the heel spurs that I have. So far-

I guess if I have to quit running I'll take up swimming. I swim like a fish, and I can stay underwater for two minutes. My parents had a pool at their house in Michigan when I grew up, so I have no fear at all about staying under water, in fact I enjoy it, so swimming, especially with a canal behind my house...is a natural.

I still prefer running!

N

I've got them in both feet. Feels like I'm walking barefoot on gravel. Went to two Podiatrists and didn't feel confident about either one. One shot me with Cortizone that hurt like heck and didn't help at all. Second doc immediately started writing prescription for Neurontin. Neurontin is an anti-seizure medication, but one of the side effects is that it helps with the nerve endings in the feet. Problem was that the OTHER six side effects about killed me. Pounding headache, chest pain, upset stomach, lower back pain, high BP, and the best of all....hallucinations. On top of that, my feet still hurt! Since it was an anti seizure med, you can't just abruptly stop taking it or it could trigger a seizure. It took a week to be able to slowly stop.

Both docs said surgery would fix them, but the two had different plans for surgery. One wanted to cut from the top of my foot and "dig" down to the nerve. Sounded pretty traumatic. The other doc wanted to cut from the bottom to remove the nerve, leaving a long incision to heal....on the bottom of my foot. Recovery for how many weeks? Months?

I can't imagine running. It hurts just to walk!

Rob,
I've had BOTH of the surgeries you've described and neither one worked for me...

That sucks! So....nothing left to do but?


Besides my feet, I've got severe Tinnitus, (ringing in the ears) and have been told that nothing can be done for that either.

Good thing is EVERYTHING in between my ears and feet work fine!!!!

Art, you have a stump neuroma, man, you got the bad draw on good feet. Not common, but happens. If you stick the cut end of the nerve into a hole you drill in the bone, it generally does not happen.

Neurontin for a Morton's Neuroma? That is a new one on me.

Yep. I'd never heard of the stuff. But after all the side effects that about did me in, I found out about it really quick!

I am quite familiar with Neurontin(gabapentin) It was designed as a GABA analogue as I understand it. It seems to be effective sometimes for a lot of stuff, including peripheral neuropathy, which is why I have prescribed it. You build tolerance, so the dose has to climb for it to keep working, but as the dosage climbs, side effects increase, happens for a lot of meds.

Ostensibly, Lyrica(pregabalin)does not have this problem. Fortunately, the opportunity for me to prescribe this has not presented itself.

I am, as always, skeptical of new medications. There is a new one that is supposed to be the bomb diggity, no downside, answer to whatever the current question happens to be.

I remember when it was Toradol(ketorolac) Trovan(trovafloxin) Ambien(zolpidem)

All good medications, but all with short comings and adverse effects

I seem to hear good things about Lyrica from the people who need it.... Its just bloody expensive....

I've been a runner most of my life and now have had the Morton's nerve problem in my left foot for the past 3 years. Currently using the "Superfeet" incerts in my Ascis. Most days while driving my truck at work, I remove my shoe for releif. Have reduced my mileage running and have been doing more biking. I think I'll have this for the rest of my life as nothing seems to help.

Steve

73 911 T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

I had mild Mortons neuroma and I manage it by using a good metatarsal arch pad behind the met heads.

The horror stories you guys described is what my brother says "could" happen. I thought he was just being overprotective. Guess my running days are definitely over. My foot is throbbing just from reading about the pain of post-surgeries!

Pay attention to your pedals, shoes, seat height and Q angle if you are getting on a bicycle. I have seen a lot of people get problems with neuromas because of cycling.

Swimming is the answer to the what is the perfect exercise question, but it is boring to me.

I hear you on the swimming doc... I am a certified Diver, but I won't swim for exercise...

I have found climbing to be my most enjoyable form of exercise, but that too would be tough with a neuroma...