Forums >Health and Nutrition>Neuroma between 3rd and 4th toes
Hello all. I'm Alex im 17 and im currently training (trying to) for my senior year track season. About 2 weeks ago I was feeling some numbness in my toes and pain while walking. I feared a stress fracture because I've had one already. X-Rays came back negative and my doctor diagnosed me with neuroma. He didn't really give me many things to try and rid of it, so I talked to my coach and trainer. I've been doing some foot strengthening excercises and yesterday got fitted for brand new and wider shoes. I've also been getting some ultra sound treatment from the school trainer as well. Inserts and pads didn't seem to work much. I'm just looking for some advice/tips on dealing with this or ridding this injury. I'm really trying to finish off my track career strong and im really hoping im able to run this season. Suggestions?
Sometimes it helps to wrap foot. I use vet tape. The tape you wrap horse's legs before you put in trailer. I bet the K tape is better.
My problem is with the toe next to big toe. Cut two strips long enough to wrap foot and split one pc to 1".
Wrap one piece around foot. Fold 1' pc and loop over toe cross it and stick to tape on bottom of foot. Do not get it too tight you just want to support toe and help it a little. Now wrap 2nd pc around foot to hold in place. Again do not get too tight.
Did they call it Morton's neuroma?
That is what I had, you can Google different lacing techniques for the shoe laces so there's not as much pressure and tightness on your foot. I also tried orthotics with a special pad to take pressure off of the toes. After years of dealing with it I finally had surgery which is very successful.
Hi Alex,
You didn't specify what kind of Dr you saw but go see a podiatrist. He specializes in feet. An X-ray will seldom detect a stress fracture so that is not a sure-fire diagnosis.
I have dealt with neuromas in both feet since 2007. The most certain cure is to deal with the nerve the neuroma is bothering. That can be done with a series of alcohol injections into the foot to kill the nerve or surgery to remove the actual neuroma. In 2007, I thought the idea of killing something that was supposed to be there was ridiculous and that I could tough it out. I had custom orthodics made and was able to get by but frequently ran in and lived in pain. This year I finally had enough. I am going through the injection process. It requires a series of shots about 2 weeks apart, probably 6-8x for each foot. I am up to 4 shots and do think the constant discomfort is going away. I can sometimes walk barefoot on hard floor surfaces which is something I had given up doing. That is one indicator that you have a neuroma rather than a fracture. Also, if you stand on your 'tip toes', the discomfort you feel should be distinctively a pinched nerve feeling. If it just plain hurts I still wouldn't count out a fracture.
You can't strengthen away a neuroma if that is what it is. Wider shoes may help but probably won't eliminate the situation. If you just want to get through a season, the wider shoes and NSAIDS may do it for you but it is not a situation that will go away.
See the podiatrist, preferably one who deals with athletes.
My coach gave me some strengthening exercises and I got fitted running shoes and it seemed to decrease the pain today in my run. The pain seemed pretty manageable. I am doubtful it's a fracture because I took two weeks off and it didn't really seem to get better. I've had a stress fracture before and I have a different feel so I don't think it is one. Also, I did go to a foot and ankle specialist.Personally, I am completely avoiding surgery/injections. I am just trying to get through this season and I will be done with consistent running for good. My coach is telling me I can strengthen out the neuroma because he said it helped his a lot.
I have also had temporary relief by icing the bottom of my feet.
Personally, I am skeptical about "strengthening out" a neuroma. Neuromas are a nerve issue. The exercises can end up further aggravating the affected nerves. Best of luck with it all though.
I saw this on youtube and it gave me instant, 100% relief:
Put a foam earplug (like used at a shooting range) between your third and fourth toes.
If they get bad enough a surgeon can cut them out. (that use to be one of the treatments, don't know about these days)
I've been dealing with a neuroma between my 2nd and third toes for about two years now. I tend to agree with Pdoe - you cannot 'strengthen' or 'stretch' it away especially once it becomes chronic. I've quieted mine down to the point where it's barely even noticeable anymore. At it's worst I couldn't run any trails because of the chance of stepping on a pebble in the exact right spot - agony. I think what caused mine was shoes too narrow in the forefoot. What happens is the bones in between that nerve get squeezed together and start irritating the nerve. When it first started happening it felt like my sock was folded over in my shoe. It didn't hurt at first and I ignored that feeling. Eventually it inflamed that nerve enough to cause the problem. Here's what I've been doing for the past 2 years to provide relief:
1) I started running in only shoes with a wider toebox and forefoot. I liked the Altra lineup because they have the widest forefoot, negative is that they are zero-drop and not everyone can tolerate them.
2) I bought some toe spacers and used them when I run. Something like this, they can be bought at drugstores. I've also used the foam earplugs that Wheresmymule suggested but they don't stay in place as well as the gel ones specifically made for this.
3) I wore toe spacers when I was at home, like these.
4) Icing / ibuprofen
You're young and your problem is most likely not yet chronic so you can probably make this thing go away by doing the above.
No more marathons
Had that problem a few years ago in the middle of marathon training - felt like I had a stone in my shoe.
When to a podiatrist and he gave me a metatarsal pad to keep in my shoe. Recommended I put one in all shoes. Did that for about 2 years (some shoes still have them in) and the symptoms have gone away.
Google metatarsal pad and you'll get lots of hits. Advantage of going to a podiatrist is he can show you exactly where it needs to be placed for maximum relief.
Boston 2014 - a 33 year journey
Lordy, I hope there are tapes.
He's a leaker!
I got diagnosed with Mortons Neuroma by a physiotherapist around 26 months ago. I have been for x-rays, ultra sound and a MRI scan. After the MRI scan the podiatrist later diagnosed me with Freidburgs Infraction.
There isn't really any cure, it supposedly self heals after around 24months, but the pain is still there. Before having a proper diagnosis I continued training for 2 marathons on it with cortisone injections between the metatarsal heads. I now know it isn't going to get any worse and try to just forget about it and continue running with it.
It may be worth while for yourself to go for an MRI scan possibly?