I Love Pickleball But My Feet Don’t! Getting Ahead of Morton’s Neuromas

Your feet really don’t want to be in shoes. Whether its high heels on the job or out for a night on the town, work shoes, running sneakers, or even pickleball shoes your feet need some freedom and some breathing room. Well, when they aren’t happy, they let you know about it and make you pay for it!

Pain in the balls of your feet, aching, burning, numbness, and even the sensation of a small pebble under your foot all are warning signs that you could be dealing with a Morton’s Neuroma. 

Morton’s Neuroma, most commonly afflicting the web space between your 2^nd and 3^rd toe but certainly can happen between other toes, are characterized by compression and perhaps fibrosis of the small nerves in these regions known as Digital Plantar Nerves.

Why is it happening ? 

Well, the most common reasons that I have encountered in clinical practice are the presence of Big Toe Bunions and a history of wearing shoes that are too constrictive or compress all of the toes together (think high heels or shoes with a narrow toe box). 

Playing pickleball, especially with narrow toe box shoes, can lead to more symptoms due to the compression that can take place with the rapid stop and go movements.  

It is important to get this condition taken care of sooner than later. In clinical practice, I have worked with this condition in its early stages, advanced stages, and even post surgically. My general premise is that early intervention is paramount. Do not wait!

What Gets Rid of It?

I am a Foot Rejuvenation Specialist in Southeast Florida and I treat wonderful people with Morton’s Neuroma practically every day and based on my experience here is what I have seen in a nutshell:

• People who have had surgery for Morton’s Neuroma are left with pain and complications.

• Cortisone shots can reduce some inflammation, but never a solution and many times the shots hurt and do nothing to help.

• Softwave - Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy has in many ways been miraculous for Morton’s Neuromas. 

• Hands on, skilled Inter-metatarsal tissue stretches and mobilization has been helpful in the total strategy.

• People who switch to wide toe box shoes and let their forefoot and toes spread out heal faster.

Your Feet Need Lots of Love Too

Our feet take a beating throughout our days and they are often squished into seemingly tight shoes for long periods of time and contrary to what many people are told, walking barefoot (within reason) is actually good for your feet. 

Walking barefoot gets rid of the external support of our shoes and allows the tissues in our feet to function in synchrony and learn to stabilize through various movements necessary for locomotion. It also allows more freedom of movement throughout the web spaces of our feet. While these concepts are important, there are foot, ankle, and other conditions and of course environmental conditions that demand the support of a shoe. The advisement of a skilled healthcare provider proficient in biomechanics can go a long way in helping you with your specific set of circumstances.

Take care of your feet and they will take care of you on and off the court !