I had neuromas for 10 years and deciding to get rid of them changed my life! I was so sick of aching feet and having to manage the discomfort all the time.
If you can’t wear shoes with heels and feel like you have a marble taped to the bottom of your foot, a morton’s neuroma is your likely culprit. It won’t show up on X-rays but a podiatrist will find it in no time flat by palpating the area. My Dr seemed delighted and amazed with mine, describing both of them as “Ginormous!”
After a certain point when the neuromas get very large the best orthotics in the world will not bring relief. When you do get orthotics, go and see a certified pedorthist. It’s their field. I wear a soft-molded type which allows for natural foot flexion.Cortisone shots don’t always work - I had 2 or 3 in each foot with no relief.I was fortunate that my podiatrist (in Vancouver BC) was able to do the surgery in this office. I sat in a chair with a numbed foot and watched TV for a couple of hours.After surgery I was ordered to stay off the foot for 3 weeks, no exceptions. Crutches suck but I made it through.It took 4 more months before I felt like I wanted to try running again. (Rushing the recovery means possibly another surgery to fix the damage)A year later, repeat the process for the other foot.Results (5 years later):
I still wear orthotics (made for me by a highly skilled pedorthist who is also a runner)I bring my birkenstocks with me when visiting friends with non-carpeted homes to keep my feet happyI can’t wear heels of any heightI still have numbness at the site, which is weird but I’ve become accustomed to itBUT I’ve been running ever since with no further problems, and most importantly, NO PAIN!!Good luck!
~Carol~