neuroma &wide shoes

[solobiker]

I too have a bad Morton's Neuroma. I used to do a a lot of alpine climbing and mountaineering, but the neuroma got so bad that I couldn't handle an approach to a climb that was longer then 6 miles. I loved those long days on the trail, to do a climb on a wall, ridge or mixed of snow and rock. I used to be able to put in 12-16 hours days on the move. I switched to wider boots and got orthotics but that didn't help too much. I now wear more of a sneaker boot unless I am doing a snow climb. I did notice it a bit riding last summer so I switched to slightly wider shoes. One thing to becareful of is if they are too wide you may be flexing (bending) your toes to grip in the shoe to prevent your foot from sliding around which can exacerbate the problem.

[Stronglight99]

I have the symptoms in right foot only...but beware your doctor's advice, it pays to experiment. What works for me is *narrower* not wider shoes. Wide flat flexible shoes seem to aggravate it by putting pressure on the mid-foot nerves. I avoid the problem with stiff narrow shoes, high arches, heels, and sometimes the use of a metatarsal arch insert. It is frustrating that I can go all day in italian dress heels without pain, but get pain in 10 minutes with loafers. Go figure.