It is rarely an injury that stops the “hard-core” runner from running, but it can still affect running significantly because of the pain. Morton’s Neuroma is something I have suffered from for many years now, and at times I can have a lot of pain under the pad in the forefoot. Here I give you tips on the best help for Morton’s Neuroma, along with the best running shoes for Morton’s Neuroma 2023.
What is Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that affects the ball of the foot, often felt between the third and fourth toes. It occurs when the tissue surrounding the nerves leading to the toes thickens, causing irritation, inflammation, and pain.
The exact cause of Morton’s neuroma is unknown, but it is believed to be caused by repetitive stress or irritation to the nerve. It can also be caused by wearing tight shoes, high heels, or shoes that have a narrow toe box.
Best Running Shoes For Morton’s Neuroma 2023
From time to time, I have used shoe inserts, but since these increased the weight of my shoes by at least double, I have been running without them for many years now.
The problem with Morton’s Neuroma is that there doesn’t seem to be any other help than surgery if you want to eliminate the problems. When it is at its worst, you can have pain in every running step, and after a while, it feels like the whole foot goes numb when you run long enough.
However, I have found one thing about Morton’s Neuroma. You should avoid shoes with a narrow forefoot and a a thin and soft front part. All this has been made much easier because many shoe manufacturers nowadays have adopted a well-cushioned sole. I don’t feel these problems when I wear shoes like the Nike Alphafly 2 (above) or the Nike Zoom Fly 5, I don’t feel these problems at all.
Nike Zoom Fly 5 is a more affordable model of running shoes from Nike with a harder midsole than the Alphafly.
Nike React Infinity should, in theory, be optimal for these problems as they are designed for injury-prone runners. But for Morton’s Neuroma, they are not the best shoes on the market. They have a slightly too thin and soft front part to run on asphalt or concrete, although they are otherwise well cushioned.
There are also some other shoe models that I can recommend if you have problems with Morton’s Neuroma. These are Adidas Prime X (above) or Boston 11.
When using these shoes, I have not experienced any problems with Morton’s Neuroma – not even on longer runs. The sole in the forefoot is thick and hard enough to protect from the shocks in the ground.
The Adidas Boston now has much more cushioning in the forefoot with the introduction of carbon rods a few years ago. These shoe models have a thick enough forefoot to prevent the pad from receiving the shocks that cause the pain.
Wear the right size and a wide toe box
Another thing to remember when choosing shoes is to run with a large enough size to give your front toes enough room to turn. If the toes are crowded together due to shoes that are too narrow, the risk of aggravating Morton’s Neuroma is much higher. I always buy at least one size too big when buying running shoes.
It’s also a good idea to buy one size too big if you run long-distance races like marathons. It may initially feel unusual, but you will quickly get used to it.
There are, of course, many more models on the market that certainly have the same good qualities to help with this condition. But among the models I tested, the mentioned models from Nike and Adidas are among the best. Also, Hoka and their model Clifton have worked well against Morton’s Neuroma.
So what is the best help for Morton’s Neuroma? In my opinion you can avoid most of the pain caused by Morton’s Neuroma just by choosing the right shoes. Luckily the running shoes available for these kind of problems are better that ever before. Running shoes with carbon plate is one example of shoe models that are usually good for problems caused by Morton’s Neuroma.
Morton’s Neuroma FAQs
The most common symptoms of Morton’s neuroma include pain in the ball of the foot, burning or tingling sensation, numbness in the toes, and the feeling of having a pebble in your shoe.
Morton’s neuroma is typically diagnosed by a physical exam and a discussion of your symptoms with your doctor. Imaging tests, such as an X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound, may be used to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment options for Morton’s neuroma include wearing supportive shoes with a wide toe box, using orthotics or inserts to provide cushioning and support, and taking anti-inflammatory medications. In some cases, steroid injections or surgery may be necessary to relieve symptoms.
While Morton’s neuroma is not a life-threatening condition, it can significantly impact your quality of life and cause chronic pain if left untreated.
Morton’s neuroma typically does not go away on its own. However, with proper treatment and management, symptoms can be significantly reduced or eliminated.
You can reduce your risk of developing Morton’s neuroma by wearing comfortable shoes with a wide toe box, avoiding high heels or shoes with a narrow toe box, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Recovery time after surgery for Morton’s neuroma varies depending on the extent of the procedure. However, most patients can expect to resume normal activities within 6-8 weeks after surgery.
Low-impact exercises, such as swimming, biking, and yoga, can be helpful for managing Morton’s neuroma symptoms. However, high-impact activities, such as running and jumping, should be avoided as they can aggravate the condition. That said, I’ve noticed that wearing the right kind of running shoes can almost completely eliminate the pain you feel from Morton’s Neuroma while running.
