What is Working

This is a page where I really hope to have people posting what is working for them.  And this is where I want to avoid people claiming they had a bad doctor, or something failed.  It really needs to be a page of what seems to be working and where people are gaining ground back to foot health!

So, I'll start with what is working for me:

  • Getting rid of all of my conventional shoes (which I hate, but it's worth it) that have elevated heels, constricting toe boxes, and toe spring
  • Wearing zero-drop flip flops or Vibram FiveFingers® for proper toe splay
  • Using Correct Toes by Dr. Ray McClanahan while I am at my office
  • Lower leg stretching and rolling my feet over a golf ball while sitting
  • Paying attention to my gait and foot strike position
  • Use a metatarsal pad when necessary (I have done this in a pair of business shoes I had to wear recently, due to the conventional fit)
  • And I have had one dehydrated alcohol injection, with a second one planned (in my research, this seemed to have very high success rates among various populations, especially runners)







So, that's my story so far.  I'll be keeping everything up to date as I progress through this process of nerve restoration and holistic foot health!  I'll also be adding a separate page at some point in which I will lay out what has not worked for me...which might help save you or someone you know some wasted time, energy, and money.  We're all learning, but in this day and age, we need to get ahead of this problem once and for all.


30 comments:

  1. Another question, Shane: Do you wear your Correct Toes 24/7, or just at the office? The idea of having to wear these things every second of every day for the rest of my life is disconcerting.

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    1. Tim,
      Just saw I never publicly replied back in 2015. As for your questions...

      I never wore the Correct Toes 24/7. I would wear them for several hours a day, but in chunks. I don't think there's any good reason someone should wear them that often. Also, for me personally, I wore them mostly for a few months and haven't had to wear them for quite a while now.

      Thanks,
      Shane

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  2. How are dehydrated alcohol injections going, are they working for you? I was wondering if you know anything about cryosurgery (http://www.mortonsneuroma.co.uk/cryosurgery)? Sounds better than conventional surgery...

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    1. The injections went well. I only needed a few, and my foot is totally back to normal. I have heard of cryo, but I was seeing a lot of mixed results, so I didn't pursue it.

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    2. The injections went well. I only needed a few, and my foot is totally back to normal. I have heard of cryo, but I was seeing a lot of mixed results, so I didn't pursue it.

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    3. Anonymous12/01/2015

      Thanks. I'm going to have to consider my options some more.

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  3. Great website, just hard to find. I had MN the first time 6 years ago, got 2 cortisone shots, some overpriced orthodics which I never liked and I always had a little bit of pain. But I could live with it. The last year it is slowly creeping back in but I was ignoring it. I guess I forgot how painfull it can be if you don't take care of it.

    Well, I'm again having cortisone shots, but the progress is very slow this time around. But I will try all your tips and tricks. This time I'll will NOT get new orthotics. Tonight I will order the correct toes to get started. Right now I'm a bit afraid to try minimalistic foot ware but I've nothing to loose. It just plain hurts and nothing makes my feet happy.

    Hint for everyone. Never, ever ignore your MN otherwise you will be sidelined again, worse than before.

    Thanks again for your positive and helpfull website.

    What metatarsal pad and what size did you use (I'm size 13)? Any insight on the different shapes?



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    1. Thanks for visiting! Hopefully you are able to get on top of the MN and get it healed up!

      I never did the cortisone, so I can't really speak to that, other than what I read was that it mostly acted in the short term. As for the size of the pads (I am a 13 as well), I believe they only come in one size, so you should be all set.

      The Correct Toes, pads, proper wide shoes with zero drop, and sclerosing did the trick for me. It took a while to form, so everyone might be different in the restoration, but I think many people try healingt the MN with an incorrect method.

      Keep me posted!

      Blessings,
      Shane

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  4. I just got diagnosed with MN last week. How long until I can run again? I was only given an anti-inflammatory script. I have pain on and off only wearing flip flops!!! I can't imagine running ever again with this kind of discomfort!!!! Where should I start?!

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    1. Hello,
      It depends. Flip flops can be bad if they have an incline/decline and toe spring. If you walk bare foot on a hard flat surface, does it hurt?

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  5. Hi,
    Came across your blog while searching for answers about what I suspect is MN in my right foot and probably my left. I've never had it diagnosed and have probably United it and lived with it for 4 years! It's been painful lately so have had to stop my ultra running training. I'm pretty sure it's MN as my toe does the click thing in the diagnostic test. Ive tried a lot of things and still trying them. Correct Toes, metatarsal pads, altra shoes stretching. Nothing really working now. Going to see a Dr soon but we do things on the national health in the uk and everything takes such a long time.waiting lists etc. I'm understanding the condition a lot more now but feel because I've had it so long all the simple fixes arn't working for me. I'm hoping in the short term cortisone or alcohol shots. Probably going to need the operation. Actually find just walking barefoot painfull. Was running up to 100 miles a week this time last year now reduced to less that 20, pool running and turbo cycling. Not really looking for answers just found your blog interesting and helpful, especially 'what's not working' . Think I just thought hobbling was normal for ultra runners!

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    1. Roly,
      Sorry for the delayed reply. For some reason I never saw the notification on yours. You posted in July - what route did you go, and how was the result?

      Shane

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  6. Hi there,
    Thanks for the website. I have been just starting a proactive approach and bought myself yoga-toes. I am curious about your recommendation of flip-flops. I have read and also been told that flip-flops are the worst thing anyone can do to their feet since your toes are always in a "clenching" position.
    What are your thoughts on this?
    I have also done cortisone shots in the past which did not help. I can't even wear socks with ANY of my workout sneakers and most of my work shoes. Have you heard of Abeo shoes?
    Thank you!

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    1. Hi Katherine,
      I never used yogatoes, so I can't speak for them, but as for flip flops, the major factor, much like any shoe, is the amount of cushion and if there is a forced contour of the base (toe spring, etc.). In general, flip flops are an option you'll have to feel out, but I did not wear them much at all. As for the cortisone, I'm not surprised. MN is a beast and that type of injection, in my research, is futile. Finally, as for that shoe brand you've mentioned, I've never heard of it. After my MN was healed and I found a solution, I pretty much stuck with the things that work - Vivobarefoot, VFF, Altra.

      Keep us posted,
      Shane

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  7. Hey! I've recently gotten symptoms that I believe is MN. It got better when I started stretching my calves. But I still can't wear shoes that haven't got a thick sole. I even felt the electric sting when I was walking without shoes,now that is gone most of the time. I ordered a pair of correct toes since I wanna try that as well.

    I have a couple of questions for you: How long did it take until you felt that you were healed?

    And what kind of shoes are you using daily these days?

    I honestly feel that this thing can go away since I've already seen improvement by wearing shoes that doesn't give me syntoms and stretching my calves daily. And finding your blog has given me even more hope. So thanks for documenting your journey.

    //Daniel

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    1. Hi Daniel,
      Thanks for writing. I didn't do a specific countdown on days to healing, but I know it was a matter of months. As I think I've mentioned elsewhere in the blog, I've typically been wearing my VFF, Vivobarefoot, and Altra shoes. I'll NEVER go back to wearing conventional big brands again unless they get with true foot health design. And while I own Altra shoes, they are my least favorite due to them having too much cushion for me.

      The process of Correct Toes, sclerosing injections, VFF/Vivo really worked like I had been hoping and praying. It was so frustrating for me to only find people complaining about not healing and no hope, so I'm glad people across the globe are finding help.

      Keep us posted,
      Shane

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  8. Thanks for the response Shane!

    Yeah that is the thing. I only find people who are telling their stories of about how miserable their lives have become and that there is no way to get rid of this thing. I must admit this thing has kept me awake the last couple of night, just thinking about it. Google is a good thing but when it comes to MN it's not a good source of inspiration and hope.

    I live in Finland so I'm having a bit of a problem finding all of the shoes you recommend but I bought a couple of Altra today so I'm gonna see how they feel. Why do you feel that the cushioning is a bad thing? My main problem is that at hard surfaces makes my toe sting. Allt soft surfaces are Okey for me. But I guess it's different from person to person.

    My worst fear is that I'll be making it worse by walking and feeling the sting in my toe, so I'm not walking normally anymore and that is making things worse. But I'm waiting for my correct toes to arrive now so I can start using then as well.

    I will keep you posted on my progress. I will beat this thing.

    //Daniel

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    1. Hello,
      Typically with MN you will not have the feeling in your toe, so given your one statement about the pain in your toe and not your foot, you might not have MN and you might need to figure that part out first. You don't want to go treating something you don't have, if you know what I mean. As for my statement about cushion, if you have MN, you'll end up triggering pain on the nerve because the cushion, when walked on, exposes the nerve more easily, therefore making matters worse. Also, if you do some research, you'll find that you really shouldn't wear shoes with a lot of cushion since it technically takes the foot anatomy and forces it into unnatural position when running or walking.

      Happy New Year,
      Shane

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    3. Thanks for replying so fast! :)

      Yeah, I have been thinking about that. But since the foot expert I visited told me it was MN I just believed him. But he couldn't make it hurt by pressing the foot or find any other sign of it. These last couple of days I haven't felt anything but when I do it's more like an uncomfortable sting. But I'm guess that doing all this will not make things worse, so I'm gonna think about my feet more and absolutely not wear any shoes that are even slightly too tight.

      But I will get back to you with how this thing evolves.

      Thanks Shane for supporting everyone reading your blog!

      //Daniel

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    4. Hi Daniel, I hope this information is helpful. I developed MN in 2013 it was mild to start with but my ski boots made it worse and the amount of weekly walking I do playing 2 rounds of golf a week and walking for work around London 3-5 miles a couple of times a week in leather soled city shoes all made the pain gradually ramp up in 2014. A podiatrist made some footbeds in 2015 but the improvement was not as good as I'd hoped for and I had to keep swapping the footbeds from shoe to shoe. Then I remembered some news article from years ago about someone running the New York Marathon in city shoes. I tracked down the story which was first completed in the early 90's and then again in 2009 and they ran in Black wingtip Rockport Brogues which have a Adidas footbed and a rubber sole so they are basically like a sneaker with a business upper and compared to my leather soled city shoes have made a massive difference, The Total Motion brogue is probably my most comfortable shoe. I also had some new custom fitted ski boots and switched to Ecco Biom golf shoes (Rockport don't make any)one size larger. I then replaced all of my other casual shoes and sports shoes with a model from the Rockport range at the beginning of 2016, even buying their eyeboat deck shoes which have the same adiprene insole to use as slippers at home on the hard tiled floors. The comfort improvement was noticeable straight away and 12 months later I hardly even think of my foot which wasn't the case a year ago, as the MN the pain went away months ago. But certainly half a size bigger shoes with a wider area at the front is a must regardless of the brand and I have added Enertor insoles which use D3O material to my older non rockport shoes which I wanted to wear again. That is what worked for me, I hope some of this information helps you. Regards David

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    5. Thanks for the reply David! In the last couple of days my problems have become worse and this thing is really limiting my life. I went to an orthopedist yesterday and she said it is most likely MN in both feet. She insisted I get a cortisone shot in my left foot (the worse foot) and I gave in. She gave me no other advice than saying that: No matter how bad it will get an operation will always help!

      But today a day afterwards it's almost like it's worse. One problem is I live in Finland so none of the shoes you mention are available here. But it's nice to hear that you've gotten better and that there is a life after this. I'm gonna visit a physiotherapist today that will examine my feet/ legs/back and also get a program for strengthening my feet muscles. I really appreciate that you wrote this to me. I've been reading too much on the internet and about 95% is horror stories. I know I shouldn't read this stuff but I want to find some hope in this situation. That's why I thank you for writing your story!

      //Daniel

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    6. Hi Daniel I only had an issue with my left foot but it was making me walk by trying to roll onto the outside of the left foot as the sole was so painful, so I know where you are at.
      It seems that looking around this restoremortons web site there are some other suggestions for comfort, such as these things that splay the toes out, not something I've tried but perhaps Amazon Finland can get them for you. Although I did just find these Rockport shoes on sportsdirect I think this is your country version http://fi.sportsdirect.com/rockport and for me this brand due to the adiprene insole worked, some models in the range have more cushioning that others but all the ones I use now are far more comfortable that the shoes I used to have. From this site I have the Ledge Hill 2 and a black leather pair similar to the Inside PToe. It also looks like there is a store in Helsinki too. I hope you can find a solution that works for you. All the best David

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    7. Thank you David! That is soo nice of you to check. At the moment walking is only painful in my left foot and according to the physiotherapist it's still at an early stage. I did get an insoles made for me today wit the metatarsal pads integrated into them and today for the first time in a long time I had a walk withoit any symptoms. And I also got a rehab program to strengthen my feet. I ordered Correct Toes last week from Germany and they are on their way here. So I'm on my way to a better day. I'm definitely going to check out the shoes cos at the moment I haven't got any good ones. But I'm gonna find them.

      Thanks you soo much for your help David! You have no idea how much I appreciate this!

      //Daniel

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  9. Hi Shane
    Sorry for the slow response and happy new year to you!
    I went to see a specialist in our local foot clinic on our national health service back in October. I asked about sclerosing and was told this was not a treatment they offered and I'd need to get that privately. She did confirm I do have neuromas in both feet. She said I may one day need the operation and when talking about how successful it might be added that one of the surgeons had told her in their experience people who were prone to multiple neuromas had a poorer chance of success.
    Anyway that has put me right off the operation for sure! She did however give me a cortisone injection in my right neuroma which has helped considerably but I still get some discomfort and fear it will come back before too long. I have correct toes but stopped wearing them but I think I'll try them some more along with stretching more. I wear Altra shoes mostly and Croc's around the house and have done for years. I make my own metatarsal pads from old insoles but haven't used them in a while. Think when the pain subsides you forget to take care of your feet but will make it a resolution to get back on it. Thanks for this website there is so much mis information out there. Maybe one day our health service may offer sclerosing it's got to be a lot cheaper than an operation?

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    1. That's a bummer that it's not offered there. I think the sclerosing was one of the main pieces of my healing, but like many health/body ailments, you must think of creating the best synergistic environment for optimal outcomes.

      Happy New Year,
      Shane

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  10. Hi Shane - what a great blog. My lifelong Morton's neuroma really acted up two years ago - Cortisone did not help at all. Flip flops are about the only shoes I can wear. (Thankfully I live in So California) You mention rolling the golf ball - where exactly on the foot do you roll (the arch, the neuroma area?), and how much pressure - ie should it hurt when rolling or not? Thanks so much

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    1. Hello,
      Glad you found the page! I think there are injuries where cortisone can help, but I don't think I've ever seen anything positive for it for MN. As for the golf ball, you would want to try it out in the mid-foot area, not on the nerve. I didn't do it too often, but the way I would do it was about 3 inches south of the MN, kind of using it to massage the soft tissue and fascia that's all connected in the bottom of the forefoot. If you have not tried them before, I would recommend taking a look at the VFF or Vivobarefoot. They are excellent.

      Best,
      Shane

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  11. Just wondering - I am now considering alcohol injections - have you maintained your improvement? (Hope so, for your sake and mine!)

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