Why I am not running right now?

In simple terms, I started having foot pain in 2018 which was causing me to really fall out of love with running. I could still run and the pain rarely got worse while running but it was constantly uncomfortable.

I had several races booked and pushed on however on some occasions the pain was so bad I had to stop and walk. There was also a few occasions where my foot went completely numb and I actually fell over because I could not feel the contact with the floor. As a keen triathlete, running was making up at least a third of my overall training.

So what is Morton’s Neuroma?

Morton's neuroma is a painful condition that affects the ball of the foot, usually between the third and fourth toes. It is caused by the thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to the toes. The thickening can cause pain, numbness, or a burning sensation in the ball of the foot, especially when walking or running ¹.

If you have Morton's neuroma, it is important to take care of your feet and avoid activities that cause pain. Running can be particularly challenging for people with Morton's neuroma, as the repetitive impact of running can aggravate the condition and put more pressure on the nerves ². However, there are ways to manage the condition and continue running.

Here are some tips for running with Morton's neuroma:

1. **Wear proper shoes**: Choose shoes that fit well and have a wide toe box to reduce pressure on the ball of the foot. Avoid high heels and shoes with pointed toes ³.

2. **Use orthotics**: Custom-made shoe inserts can help redistribute pressure on the foot and relieve pain ³.

3. **Cross-train**: Incorporate low-impact exercises such as swimming, cycling, or yoga into your routine to give your feet a break from the impact of running .

4. **Stretch**: Stretching your feet and calves can help relieve tension and reduce pain .

5. **Consult a healthcare professional**: If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment options. Corticosteroid injections are a common treatment for Morton's neuroma, but they come with risks and should be carefully considered ¹.

Living with Morton's neuroma can be challenging, but with proper care and treatment, you can manage the condition and continue to enjoy running and other activities.

What treatment did I have?

After suffering on and off since 2018 I opted for steroid injections into my foot to break down the Morton’s Neuroma.

Corticosteroid injections are a common treatment for Morton's neuroma. According to the **National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)**, corticosteroid injections are effective in 30-50% of cases, with minimal post-injection complications ¹. The beneficial effects have been reported to last for up to 12 months, after which there appears to be a 50% failure rate in pain relief and about 30% of people require operative treatment ¹. In a prospective follow-up study, corticosteroid injections remained effective in over 30% of cases for up to almost 5 years ¹.

However, it is important to note that there are risks associated with steroid injections, which the patient needs to carefully consider and be counselled on before having an injection for Morton's neuroma ². Some of the risks include atrophy of the plantar fat pad, skin discoloration at the injection site, and rupture of the metatarsophalangeal joint capsules with deviation of adjacent toes ¹⁵.

It is best to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if corticosteroid injections are the right treatment option for you.

I currently have my fingers and toes crossed that this will be the answer for me.