Neuroma?

Keith said:

I have been experiencing a pain in my forefoot, just behind my toes and
extending up to my middle few toes, which sounds to me a lot like what
I've read about neuromas. It only starts about 30 min or so into a
run, which I tolerate until the end since my runs aren't much longer
than that anyway. It goes away within minutes of stopping, and I don't
experience any pain in that area except for the end of a run. Also,
it's only on the right foot. I am a mid-foot/forefoot striker
(depending on pace), and my shoes are getting a bit old, but once again
it's only on the right foot. The only thing I can think of to explain
why it's only on one side (besides a neuroma) is that I run mainy on
roads and try to stick to the left side (facing traffic, the way I've
alwys understood you should), so the canting of the roads makes my left
foot lower than my right for the bulk of my runs. This doesn't seem to
have any other consequences, though (knee pain, etc). Any thoughts?

A good podiatrist will use an ultra sound, or just feel it to diagnose
it. On both my son and myself, he shot them with cortisone and other
less toxic stuff, and combined that with orthodics. On some patients
they remove them. Take care of it early.

How long have you had this foot pain? Do you have any discomfort
walking around barefoot in the early morning? Have you had your foot
X-ray'd? I had a stress fracture years ago that a pediatrist wanted to
diagnose as neuroma and treat surgically but I had him wait another
week and take a second X-ray. Turned out to be a stress fracture of
the mid meditarcal bone. Just pointing out that there are other things
that could explain the discomfort you are experiencing.

Is it a burning sensation?

I get a burning sensation just behind my toes around the 8-12 mile mark
of runs. It always begins in the left foot and then a few miles later
begins in the right foot as well.

I went to a podiatrist thinking it was neuroma - it was not. He gave
me metatarsal pads to wear but they were so annoying that I would
rather deal with the pain.

I am a forefoot striker and buy shoes accordingly and, for now, just
deal with the pain. If you ever find something that works for you,
please share with the group.

I've only started experiencing it lately, and I've been running on and
off for several years. I only experience it when running, and then
only after I'm about 30 minutes or so into it. It lingers for a few
minutes after stopping if I walk around, but goes away quickly.

Yes - a burning sensation is probably the most accurate description.
It starts in the forefoot, just behind the second and third toes (after
doing some research I've read that a neuroma is typically behind the
third and fourth toes), and spreads forward so that I get the same
sensation on the second and third toes themselves. Your experience
sounds similar to mine, except that mine comes on earlier and is only
in my right foot.