Morton's neuroma reproduction from a lithograph in Gray's Anatomy
There is a new bulletin board/forum website completely dedicated to Morton’s Neuroma named Morton’s Neuroma Talk!!!! MN Talk is a FREE discussion support group for those of us who are dealing with Morton’s Neuroma where we can talk about this condition, how it is treated, and how it has effected our lives.
After some research I found that there truly isn’t a dedicated bulletin board for MN out there. There are sites here and there that talk about health and medical conditions, etc., that may or may not talk about MN from time-to-time, hit or miss, but none dedicated solely to this condition.
I fully expect this brand new forum group to soon be jam packed with lots of information and advice from many experienced MN sufferers.
The address is http://www.mortonsneuromatalk.com. Please check it out, and definitely, if you know someone who has this condition, please share the web address with them.
We will be getting a logo soon.
BKB,
I’ve been suffering a Morton’s Neuroma for a few years now, off and on. First noticed something about four years ago when my [shod] feet would “fall asleep” while using an elliptical machine. Already had PF on the left side (since 2007) and shin splints bilaterally. Hadn’t run more than 3 mile since fasciitis came on. Tried VFFs in November 2011 after reading Born To Run; PF got better but, by New Year’s Eve, I got a metatarsal stress fracture from bad technique (running on my toes). I read your book thrice before the walking boot came off in mid-Feb, so I was ready to go BF. As my barefoot mileage grew to about 2 miles, I began to notice that “flat pebble” feeling under the center of the ball of my left foot, and observed an unusual callus forming where one shouldn’t ever be. It hurt for awhile, so I backed off the mileage (down to 1.5). That didn’t help, and running actually made it feel better, so I stepped the mileage back up to 3+ and before I knew it…the Neuroma stopped bothering me. My wife is a physical therapist (and thinks I’m a kook anyway); she informed me that the usual treatment for MN is orthotic inserts and, if necessary, surgery. I’ve had top-notch orthotics for a few years (due to the PF) but they never did much for me. And I hate surgery.
I wear minimalist shoes whenever I can. I’m active duty military so BF is not an option at work! The Merrell shoes I found on-line are at least all black, so I wear those in the office and no one seems to mind much, even though they’re not “regulation.” But they let my feet function more naturally, so I think that wearing those shoes, combined with BF running, has actually made my MN virtually disappear.
My mileage is growing (did 6 miles last week–a distance PR since initial fasciitis). The neuroma callus is gradually shrinking and the pain itself is completely gone. Can barely feel that lump anymore even when I dig at it with my fingers. So MY recommendation for sufferers of Morton’s Neuroma is to stay barefoot as much as possible, wear minimalist sole shoes when you must, and run barefoot (smiling all the way of course)!
– Barefoot Captain / Navy Pentagon
It is now 3.13.14. How about an update? Are you still doing alright? Thanks.