Has anyone here had Morton's Neuroma (a foot problem)

[OnionPatch]

So it feels like I'm walking on a marble under the ball of my foot. It's been like this for a few years. It's starting to affect my back and knees because I walk a little off-kilter to avoid the marble feeling. I've put on weight because I don't get as much exercise now.

So what is the cure, according to the foot doc? A series of three needles through the top of the foot into the nerve. I'm needle-phobic but I mustered up the courage to try it. OMG!! It was excruciating! The needle went through the top of my foot but there was a black and blue bruise on the bottom of my foot!! On top of that, it didn't help. But the doc says I need it once every two weeks for three times in a row.

Seriously, I may have to live with this forever if that is the cure. There is also surgury but that often leaves a numb feeling in the foot. :banghead:

My question is: Does a Morton's neuroma ever go away on its own? I've been wearing the widest, most comfortable shoes I can find with soft pads, etc. for about six months and it's not working. I guess my other question is: How can I get through more of these shots. I am terrified. I don't know if I can let them do it even if my mind says so.

[yy4me]

1. Hi OnionPatch, see my post today about the Neuroma . #6

[Manifestor_of_Light]

2. I think they only get bigger.

It's on the nerve between the 3rd and 4th toes.

My BF had his removed and the doc said it was the largest one he had seen in nearly 20 years of being a podiatrist.

He also had another neuroma removed in the middle of his foot, and also a heel spur.

The doc broke his scalpel blade cutting thru the fascia in the heel to get to the heel spur, so that means that BF is one tough son of a bitch.

That was three incisions in one foot. Apparently surgery helped a lot.

[smirkymonkey]

3. Honestly, I started wearing European Walking shoes for years

and I no longer have a problem with it. Anything with a heel or any elevation will give me problems. Platforms are fine. I like Danskos, Josef Seibel's, Birkenstocks, Ecco's, Naot. They are more and the styles are getting better too, but also make sure you have a wide toe box. I used to have plantar fascia as well and that went away too. I needed shoes that didn't constrict my foot in any way.

You can also get a prosthetic made, but ususally insurance doesn't cover it, but check w/ your ins. company just to be sure. There is no reason you should have to limp through life. There is also an ultrasound machine they use that is totally painless (In fact, I wondered whether it actaully did anything at all, but I'm better?!) Good luck!

[DemBones DemBones]

4. Well, this is an old post but if anyone else

has Morton's neuroma, the cortisone shots worked for me. I only had one shot in one foot, had to have a second in the other a week or so later. That was about 1989 and I have had no problems like that since.

A friend had surgery and suffered a lot. I'd definitely try the shots first. A good podiatrist is a treasure. Mine also removed a bone spur from one of my toes that had been rubbing the toe next to it for a good 20 years, and he fitted me for prescription orthotics, which I'm still wearing some 22 years later. So they were certainly worth the $200, which my insurance paid. Our HMO now will not pay for orthotics. Morans! They cured my plantar fasciitis