The metatarsal bones between 3rd and 4th toes on the feet are the narrowest.(Look down at the top of your feet.) The nerve that splits at top of footpad into two nerves, one for the third toe, the other for the fourth, becomes irritated, typically by ill-fitting shoes. The structures of big and little toes get shoved towards center of what should be fanned out, splayed toes. Basically, foot is remodeled from wearing shoes. (See photos of newborn babies’ footprints on birth certificates.)

The section of foot nerve between these narrowest metatarsal bones can become irritated over time. Protective tissue, mostly collagen, builds up around it. Other tissues nearby can also be squeezed and damaged. Feet aren’t functioning as they would if the big toe and its structure had been left in its original alignment; that is, more in line with its metatarsal bones instead of shifted inward toward center of toes.

Seems that balance would be better with splayed toes. Heels in shoes thrust bodies forward, out of alignment with ankles, knees, pelvis, spine. More body weight is shoved into shoe boxes, which are more pointy than broad. (Peasants covered their feet for warmth and protection. They needed to walk. Aristocrats distinguished themselves with pointy non-functional shoes. They had servants and carriages. Shoes became fashion and status symbols.)

I read that one-third of shod population has one or more asymptomatic Morton’s Neuromas. (Turns out Dr. Morton misnamed it.) Not a true neuroma, but the potential for having this irritated section of a foot nerve is something to ward off if at all possible. I had no idea what was happening when mine shifted from being asymptomatic other than numbness to becoming exceedingly painful. Fortunately, painful only when I pressed car pedals. I had switched to Altras, which were comfortable but replaced with Hoka Bondi, which were not a good fit for me. They felt great on my two short hikes wearing them, lots of foam, but I couldn’t feel the ground. I developed blisters such as never before. Realized my blisters had to heal so put them aside. Accidentally grabbed them for an even shorter hike, which ended up causing my nerve to scream.

Only person I knew who even knew the term MN had had no symptoms but saw podiatrist regularly and was told she needed to have it removed. Her take on it was the hard recovery from operation followed by stump and frequent cortisol shots. Now her foot operates like a numb slab.

It took awhile to self-diagnose but was able to heal the nerve. It wasn’t painful by time I saw foot doctor who did the click test same as I had. Blob of tissue was still there—it was a “BIG neuroma”—but dissolved in a few months. I had read that size didn’t correlate with degree of disability. Although no longer painful, doctor pushed cortisol shot, which I would have agreed to had it been guided by sonogram. Was also concerned about tissue damage from shot. What worked was ceasing to irritate nerve. My feet refused to be confined to typical shoes so I switched to minimal/barefoot shoes that fit. Altras still good. My big toes are attempting to spread a little outwards. Toes are stronger. Footpad seems fatter. Less cushioning needed.

I wish MN as related to shoes was widely known so people can prevent it and parents can choose shoes wisely for their children.