(I don’t usually publish posts about my medical problems, but I thought this was interesting so decided to share it.)
Years ago, I started experiencing a sharp shooting pain in the fourth toe of my right foot whenever I took a step. It didn’t hurt or ache when I wasn’t putting pressure on it, and it was sporadic. I’d have the condition for a few weeks, then be fine for a few weeks or months. In the last few years, it’s become more frequent and more painful.
I talked to my friend Glenda’s ex, who is a podiatrist, on the phone one day and he said it sounded like I have a Morton’s Neuroma. Since my most recent episode has lasted over 6 months, I decided it was time to see a local doctor.
There are several treatment options including cortisone injection, orthotics, alcohol injection, and surgery. He said the cortisone is successful in about 50% of the cases, so we went with that first. The first couple of days, I thought I was a success story, but then the pain came back. He had me use a small pad on the ball of my foot (in a simulated orthotic); the theory is to support and round the toe box to separate the metatarsals that are pinching that inflamed nerve. That completely eliminated the pain in my toe while walking, but made the ball of my foot sore. I didn’t like having a lump in my shoe. Last week he gave me another cortisone injection. He says sometimes two will work when one doesn’t. But rarely do three work if two don’t.
Well, I’m in the “two don’t” category, and it looks like I might have to have alcohol injections next. That will kill the nerve and permanently numb my toe, but it is fairly successful in treating neuromas. I know my brother Don has had a numb toe from a serious cut he had as a boy and he doesn’t fall over when walking, so hopefully I’ll be able to walk with a numb toe, too. 🙂
One expensive fallout of all of this is I’ve come to realize the value of really good shoes. Yesterday I went out and spent $280 on two pairs: Naot sandals and Brooks walking shoes. I hope to be able wear one or the other pair about 80% of the time, and will only have to slip on fashion shoes on rare occasions. If the Naots work well for me, I’ll probably buy a pair of loafers or clogs this fall.
Did the podiatrist suggest orthotics for you? That seems to be their favorite cure-all. Derek and I both have them; I wear mine almost all the time, but he never does.
Yes, he did suggest orthotics, and my insurance will cover them 100%. But I know it’s not an ideal solution for me because I wear sandals so much. Incidentally, my new shoes feel GREAT! I may be able to put off the alcohol if these relieve it for the time being. But I know until I have the neuroma fixed, anything else is just masking the problem.
Sore feet are one of the worst things to deal with when you’re working. At home you can always just sit down if you feel like it. I’ve got orthotics too and I’ve actually not worn them since retiring from Boeing. The good thing about the new job is I can wear whatever I want.
You’re right that I don’t fall over from the toe. I used to fall over but that stopped about 6 1/2 years ago and it wasn’t from bad feet. 😉
I hope you get relief soon. That’s annoying to deal with.
It must be a Lafferty affliction to have things go wrong with your feet. I had Planter Fasciitis a few years ago that Superfeet insoles cured, and recently I’ve developed a bunion. Your right that good shoes make all the difference. I used to buy Walmart hiking boots – big mistake!
You have to get used to insoles very gradually or else you will never wear them again.
I have worn SAS shoes for about five years-one pair of navy blue for winter, and beige for summer. They were well over $100 a pair, but they still look like new, and they feel so great. I used to buy cheap shoes, and spent much more money that way, because they were always wearing out, and looking scuzzy. I do have tennis shoes to wear when it’s rainy, but you know how often that happens in this country.
Dick and Dale used to have low arches (almost flat feet) so their shoes cost more when they were kids than the rest of you.
Maybe the secret is–just sit down, and don’t do any walking.