[b]I have had 3 mortons neuromas (currently have 1 between 4th and 5th toe). Had 1 on other foot also. I supinate with a rigid foot and medium to high arch. Not sure why I get them. I know about wearing wide enough shoes and I wear orthodics. Any recommendations appreciated. I am a 5'2" female, 128LBS. Some questions:
!. Continue naprosyn and icing in weeks 3 and 4 of haing a neuroma?
2. Are MTB shoes helpful...any kind of masage tools recommended?
3. Any types supplements/diet helpful?
4. Why are some of us more susceptible to MN even tho we don't wear narrow shoes/heals??
5. Types massage/ pressure points to give my own foot at home to speed healing.
6. Any types alternative treatments helpful?

Any other info/advice appreciated, THanks!

Very good questions.

In general it the common thought that neuromas are caused by nerves that pass between are squeeze or rubbed by the bones of the foot most commonly the metatarsal heads between the 3rd 4th.

That squeeze rubbing and movement of the nerve as it passes between the bone causes injury and irritation which the body heals from and cause the nerve to become thicker and more likely to become impinged by the bone and those the cycle becomes worse.

Conservative treatment give the bones room to spread (better fitting shoes) force the bones to spread place a metatarsal pad or neuroma on the foot bed of the shoe.

Reduce the swelling and irritation by anti-inflammatory medications.

My answers to question:

1 naprosyn a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and Iceing. can help.

2 MTB are a soft unstable rocker bottom shoe built on a stiff last that can reduce the motions of the bones in the front of the foot. can help

3 supplements as far as they fall under proper nutrition and do not cause a inflammatory response. I have not heard of that can help.

4why do you or for that matter "I" get a neuroma who has not been wearing bad shoes. Bad luck, genetically predisposed, blame your parents, birth defect, foot injury, and the list goes on. primary cause shoes and ill fitting shoes

5 (also 2 most "devices" are massage devices) Massage pressure point or mechanical manipulation will not necessarily speed heeling. If you used properly can loosen up the foot and reduce swelling can also break up scar issue but if used incorrectly can easily go the opposite way

6 Don't know

Wish I could help more

THanks for the answers!...I finally got rid of both neuromas with ionto and accupuncture and hope I can keep them away. I learned from a gait analysis that I stick my toes straight up when I walk so I must wear only sort toprred shoes or open sandals...strange.

Great!!!.

About your toes.

If your toes are going strait up when you walk. I have seen this a lot and recommend that people look a their choreography( as far as which muscle they are using and when).

Most people I see with this toe extension tendency. It looks to me that they are using their toe extensors more to lift the foot then the posterior and anterior tibialis muscles. The test I use to see this is have them sit at the edge of a chair knees bend 80-85 degrees of flexion have them lean on their thighs an knees with their fore arms to add some weight. Then I ask then to lift the balls of their feet of their off the ground. Positive result their toe shoot strait up prior to the balls lifting. Then second test with the ball off the foot lifted in this way wiggle the to toes. Positive result the their feet drop a little they are more difficult to hold up.

With a positive result what do a recommend? That the strengthen their posterior and anterior tibialis muscles while learning to relax their toes.

Although in your case I do not know how affective this might be for you I usually recommend this for anterior compartment syndrome.

All in all I do not think it is good muscle mechanics for the toe extensors to be any where close to becoming the primary (dorsiflexor) extensors of the foot.

Toes should be more relaxed when walking and lifted enough to clear obstacles and the ground.

Keep well