I have a Morton’s neuroma that was supposed to have been blasted away a few years ago by a podiatric surgeon, but something must have gone wrong, because it’s back from time to time on my longer runs. It sucks to stop, take off the shoe, and rub out the fire in my right foot. I’m in Newton Distance shoes and like them. I’m wondering if anyone has the same issue and, if so, have you replaced the entire insole with another insole with a built-in metatarsal pad, or have you just added a small metabump to the existing Newton insole?
You don’t likely need an entire orthotic with a met pad - just simply go to Amazon and get a met pad and place on the stock shoe sockliner. Of course, a met pad with a Newton shoe that is trying to encourage you onto the forefoot is a bit of an odd combination …
Thanks, and yes, I agree, it is an odd combination. But since I’ve had a hip resurfacing from too many heel strikes on an aging body, I’m finding that the Newtons ameloriate the heel strike, which is a good thing both for the Birmingham device and for the other hip (which is going down fast).
Don’t you think affirmatively spreading the metatarsals is still a good idea, even with Newtons, if the Morton’s is an issue on long runs?
With that “extra” bit of info … it depends. You also likely don’t have a true Morton’s neuroma, but can be generically categorized as metatarsalgia. The simple goal with either is to offload the area. You are purposely increasing forefoot loading because you feel by not doing so (“heel striking”) is making your hip worse. Take your pick.
Yeah, Birmingham implants are better for active people, but running is going to accelerate. Do you run on trails? Every try something simple like a wide forefoot shoe with low ram?
Thanks! I googled “low ram” but didn’t come up with anything but car dealerships. For ages I wore NB 990s and their progeny (991, etc), then switched over to 1120s, all boxy and with lots of “toe wiggle room” during final-miles-of-marathon stuff, but it didn’t do any good for my hip, which died. The Newton Distance shoes seem plenty roomy in the front box to me. If it’s not a true neuroma, than I guess the rf ablation was a crock, too, eh? Leave it to the Cleveland Clinic. Sigh.
So what is “low ram” and where do I find it?
Thanks again for your help. I’d really like to get up and running again for real.
Thanks! I googled “low ram” but didn’t come up with anything but car dealerships. For ages I wore NB 990s and their progeny (991, etc), then switched over to 1120s, all boxy and with lots of “toe wiggle room” during final-miles-of-marathon stuff, but it didn’t do any good for my hip, which died. The Newton Distance shoes seem plenty roomy in the front box to me. If it’s not a true neuroma, than I guess the rf ablation was a crock, too, eh? Leave it to the Cleveland Clinic. Sigh.
So what is “low ram” and where do I find it?
Thanks again for your help. I’d really like to get up and running again for real.
~~ kate
Sorry, should have been low RAMP (i.e. a flat shoe). I don’t do RF ablation for a Morton’s neuroma (very little evidence for efficacy) though I did do my vascular rotations at the Cleveland Clinic Since an intermetataral neuroma is mechanical in etiology, makes more sense to treat it mechanically, though it depends if it was a true/large neuroma (actually seen on MRI, etc.) where most active people are past mechanical treatments once perineural fibrosis has develooped. Nerve destruction procedures are then usually recommended (surg, cryo, RF, etc).
Check out this link for the type of shoe I am referring to:
The problem with the above shoes for you might be: hard to try on and the lack of cushioning that you should likely have to protect the joints. But if running on trails, etc. might be good.
“low ram” was a typo. He meant “low ramp”, as in a low heel-to-toe drop, which your Newtons have.
If you’re looking for another shoe with “low ramp”, nice forefoot cushioning and a roomy toebox, but without the lugs of your current Newtons, give the Brooks Pure Flow a shot. If you want even more forefoot cushion, but still with a “low ramp” and decent toebox room, give the Hoka One One Bondi B a shot. Both of those shoes work just fine with a met pad or aftermarket (custom or otherwise) insole.
I have a Morton’s neuroma that was supposed to have been blasted away a few years ago by a podiatric surgeon, but something must have gone wrong, because it’s back from time to time on my longer runs. It sucks to stop, take off the shoe, and rub out the fire in my right foot. I’m in Newton Distance shoes and like them. I’m wondering if anyone has the same issue and, if so, have you replaced the entire insole with another insole with a built-in metatarsal pad, or have you just added a small metabump to the existing Newton insole?
Thanks for your thoughts.
~~ kate
Neuroma can re-form; however, they can be ablated without surgery.
Consider cutting off the top of your running shoes and buying .5-1.0 larger sizes.
Thank you everyone. I’ll check everything out. To the podiatrist’s credit, he did say that the neuroma could reform even though he blasted the hell out of it.
I use lynco insoles with the built in metatarsal pad and it is what allows me to run. They are the only ones I have found with the pad built in to them and they do the trick for me.
You can get them with and without heel posting as well, make sure you get the right ones.
i used to use my newtons for all distances, but kept bruising the ball of my foot. so i only use the newtons for short (like 3miles or less) races and workouts. my podiatrist said that using the newtons would eventually cause major problems. i now run mostly in mizuno wave riders for long stuff and saucony kinvaras for shorter/tempo stuff and it seems to be better. met pads might work, but you have to try different ones. also my podiatrist gives me a sheet of that padding that they use and i pad up my own shoes after he showed me how. good luck!
the womens version of the superfeet insole has a metatarsal pad and a metatarsal dome - I use them in my bike shoes. They are very rigid in the heel though thanks to a plastic heel cup - but great on the bike - havent tried them in runners
Hey sorry to bring back a old thread but im having the same issue… well i dont know whether or not to buy orthotic insoles or some insoles and add a metarsal pads from nuovahealth inside aswell? anyone know thank you
For ages I wore NB 990s and their progeny (991, etc), then switched over to 1120s, all boxy and with lots of “toe wiggle room” during final-miles-of-marathon stuff, but it didn’t do any good for my hip, which died. 
The Newton Distance shoes seem plenty roomy in the front box to me. If it’s not a true neuroma, than I guess the rf ablation was a crock, too, eh? Leave it to the Cleveland Clinic. Sigh.
Since an intermetataral neuroma is mechanical in etiology, makes more sense to treat it mechanically, though it depends if it was a true/large neuroma (actually seen on MRI, etc.) where most active people are past mechanical treatments once perineural fibrosis has develooped. Nerve destruction procedures are then usually recommended (surg, cryo, RF, etc).