Dealing with a neuroma

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Dealing with a neuroma

by Mark Murphy
(San Diego, CA)

I have been diagnosed with a neuroma on my left foot, between the second and middle toe. It mostly affects the middle toe. A year ago I went through cortisone treatments with no results and then through a series of 5 injections of dehydrated alcohol (??). That had limited effect. The pain in my foot has returned almost to its original levels. My pediatrist is reluctant to perform surgery, and says to avoid impact sports like running. I'm not a fast runner, 10+ minute miles, but they are tortuous. I an 56 years old, weigh 235 lbs and am 6'5" tall. I am a moderate overpronator, use good shoes with Spenco or Sorbithane inserts, and replace my shoes regularly. Any suggestions?

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Dealing with a neuroma

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Sep 09, 2011
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Morton's Neuroma
by: Mitch - MTS

Mark-

I don't deal with a whole lot of neuromas and it I do, it is something that I usually catch very early with my athletes, so I don't know for sure that my "typical" solutions will be will be as effective as I would like, given your history. I just want to preface my response so as not to give you a false sense if it doesn't work out for you.

I typically treat a neuroma with forefoot and midfoot joint mobilizations. This is a very hands on activity and should be performed by a good clinician. This will free up space between the toes to allow the neuroma to "breathe" per say and begin to heal. It's my opinion that the only reason why a neuroma is problematic is because it gets "pinched" between the bones of the toes.

The other thing that I typically do with a neuroma to create space is to use a teardrop pad on a good orthotic. I would prefer to see you get an orthotic which has more motion control than a Spenco. It doesn't need to be a custom orthotic, but something which fits a little bit more custom than that.

Then you need to have your clinician or podiatrist place a teardrop pad (felt pad which is shaped like a teardrop) on the orthotic. It needs to be placed right under the neuroma. It sounds like it would increase your symptoms, but it actually helps because it spreads the bones apart when you bear weight, which decreases symptoms.

Let me know how it works!

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Dealing with a neuroma

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Dealing with a neuroma