Can wearing my High Heels Shoes cause Morton's Neuroma Surgery?
90If you want a distinct answer to the question of whether wearing high heeled shoes causes Morton's Neuroma, the answer is a definite maybe. Most foot doctors would recommend wearing better shoes for beneficial care of the feet.
I have had personal experiences with Mr. Morton on two occasions going back to the 1970's and let me tell you...it was not pleasant.
Back in those days I spent much time on my feet as my profession was that of being an operating room nurse at Methodist Hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas.
Normally I worked the day shift which meant being all suited up with those gorgeous (I'm being facetious here!) OR clothes, disposable caps covering our hair and disposable booties covering our shoes. In those days the women wore wrap around type dresses and the men got to wear trousers and shirt tops all in a blue or green color which got very faded as they were laundered over time by the hospital.
We are not talking great fashion here folks!
But then...except for the cases of surgery performed under local anesthetic, most of our patients were already drowsy due to pre-op medications administered before they were wheeled into the operating room theatre...and of course, during surgery...they were out cold due to the anesthesia.
A typical joke back then if those of us working in the OR saw each other outside of that environment was to say that we really looked good in our clothes. Anyone overhearing that type of remark probably wondered about us and in what type of profession we were engaged!
The day shift was from 7 AM to 3:30 PM and most of us were changing clothes and exchanging a few pleasantries in the nurse's lounge around 6:30 AM prior to getting really busy with the rest of our day.
Of course if we were scheduled to be "on call" and the surgeries ran past the time of 3:30 PM we simply stayed in the OR and finished the job no matter how long it took if the smaller staffed evening shift could not handle the load.
Being an operating room nurse whether one was the scrub nurse or the circulating nurse meant spending long hours on one's feet.
- Morton\'s Neuroma - Foot.com
Morton's Neuroma is a common foot problem associated with pain, swelling and/or an inflammation of a nerve, usually at the ball-of-the-foot between the 3rd and 4th toes.
- Morton\'s neuroma - MayoClinic.com
Morton's neuroma Comprehensive overview covers treatment, including surgery, of this painful foot growth.
Mr. Morton paid me a visit and he worked his way into my life in an insidious way over a great period of time.
All I realized was that after a day of work my one foot was getting more and more painful.
After getting home I would put my feet up after taking off my shoes and endured the painful burning sensation for some time.
A night's rest seemed to alleviate it but as time progressed I was literally limping in the corridor of the OR suite one day when a surgeon asked me what seemed to be the trouble.
He had me hop up onto a stretcher outside of an OR and examined my feet. Presto! Instant diagnosis! Morton's Neuroma.
It did not take long for surgery to be scheduled and when completed, the surgeon told me that he had never previously seen one that was so large.
When one developed in the other foot a few years later, believe me!, I did not wait so long to have it remedied.
comfortable shoes
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Patient testimony after having Morton's Neuroma surgery
Some footage of an actual surgery...
So what exactly is Morton's Neuroma?
Enlargement and abnormal growth of the nerve typically between the third and fourth toes and just above the pad of the foot can cause all kinds of havoc. As one walks, jogs, runs or otherwise hits the ground with one's foot, the ligament on top of the nerve causes compression. When the nerve is enlarged, obviously one is in for some pain, burning sensations or even numbness.
Numbness would certainly have been preferred in my case over the throbbing pain and burning that I experienced, and since I had waited so long to seek treatment, surgery was the only choice left.
If one seeks treatment earlier, other options are typically tried with surgery as a last resort. Alternatives include orthotics, pain medications (usually over the counter), steroids to reduce the swelling and even injections with alcohol...a newer approach.
The relief was instant in my case after the surgery.
Heed the warning signals and seek help if these symptoms sound familiar. Some people even report the feeling of walking on a marble. I simply had the growing sensation of pain and burning which kept escalating as the neuroma got larger.
Being a fashionista can hurt!
I used to wear many high heels when I was younger and that is one possible cause of developing a Morton's Neuroma.
In fact women outnumber men by a huge number when it comes to developing Morton's Neuromas.
Comparing men's shoes with women's shoes...it is no wonder!
Most men's shoes are built with roomy areas for their toes and sensible heel heights.
Not so with much of what is created for women to wear!
Look at the pointy toes and sky-high elevated yet skinny heels that females are encouraged to purchase and then navigate wearing.
Some time ago (after having had two surgeries for Morton's Neuromas) and also being granted a few more years with which to gain some wisdom...THAT is questionable...but hey!...thought that I would throw it in for laughs...especially those that know me... I decided that I no longer had to buy the latest and greatest when it came to women's shoes being sold.
Lower heels and even flats suit me just fine these days! If one searches, it is possible to find shoes with more room for toes to reside in more comfortable surroundings...even wiggle a little. It may not be easy...but it is worth the effort in the long run to find such foot friendly adornments.
So...does wearing high heeled shoes cause Morton's Neuromas? There seems to be some evidence and I'm not taking any chances. I may be a bit shorter these days without my high heels, but my feet are happier!
Morton's Neuroma Injection...
Do you always follow the latest trends when it comes to shoe fashions?
See results without votingMorton's Neuroma Pain in Foot - Surgical Excision
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Have you ever suffered with a Morton's Neuroma?
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Assessment Technique for Suspected Cases of Morton's Neuroma
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Peggy you have pointed out a beautiful topic of discussion where appearance matters the most. Personally, I love heels but my health does not allow me to wear them comfortably thus, gave up on them few years back.
I guess women who can still trod along with Stilettos comfortably rule...lol
They sure look graceful however, dunno what kind of pain they would be after they reach home...lol
voted up as useful and interesting topic.
Peggy, just wanted to mention a related topic. This is a caution for certain people wearing rocker sneakers (and I imagine it would be those with high insteps like me.) While "rocker shoes" are tauted as being great for walking, I started getting planter fasciitous (self-diagnosed) when wearing a brand name shoe when I had to do a lot of walking. I just HAPPENED to see a TV news segment on the dangers of rocker shoes for SOME people. You can tell a rocker shoe by putting it on the table and noticing that the toe and heel are raised, making it, of course, rock when you move it. I stopped wearing the shoes and within a week, all pain was gone. If someone has pain inspite of wearing a good brand of sneakers, it might be worthwhile to see what happenes if you switch to a different type of shoe.
Peggy, I haven't worn heels in forever. Once it became too painful I cheerfully changed to comfortable flats. Morton's is not something I want to deal with. It looks and sounds horribly painful. Up, useful and interesting.
Oh my!! This was very painful for me to just watch let alone having the condition - I can't imagine. Props to you for being so strong.
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, Peggy! I will look at the site and start shopping soon :)
Have a great New Year!
Thanks for your reply, Peggy! If you think of any brands that you prefer with the wide-toe box, all info appreciated :) Still feeling surprisingly well post-op! (knocking on wood :)
Hi Peggy! Great post! I had a neurectomy today. Doing pretty well thus far. Completely numb in the last three toes. Interesting. But, of course, it hasn't even been 24 hours yet.
What I'm wondering is what type of shoes do you wear post neurectomy? I am a court reporter and am in the courthouse in dress clothes. I'm wondering what kinds of shoes I need to start investing in :) I suspect all my heels and boots (insert whining) will not be worn again, if I have any sense! I've spent the last six months going to work in flip flop Crocs and have been hating it.
So...I would love to hear your post-op shoe choices! Thanks in advance!
Hi peggy!! that’s a great hub!! High heels can cause so much pain!! I will admit I love wearing them for parties but I don’t walk or stand much wearing them, I m def going to be careful and try avoiding high heels as much as possible. Otherwise for everyday use I make it a point to wear comfortable low heeled sandals or shoes!!Dont want MR mortan visiting :)) such a useful and great hub!!Voted up!!
carrie
Thanks to a fall years ago from a second story porch and 5 weeks in hospital, I pretty much gave up wearing heels. Just didn't feel as "steady on my pegs" (as Brits say) as I used to, but did finally find a pair that were the "right" height (3 inches), cushioned in all the right places and felt like I wasn't wearing heels at all. A basic, timeless style. But I hadn't worn them since 2001 and have no intention of ever attending any function in the future where flats are unacceptable, so I (reluctantly) pitched them last year.
After reading this hub, I think I may have had the beginning's of a Morton's a couple of wears ago when I had a job that required standing in one spot all day. By the end of the day the balls of my feet would be on fire. But the company went bust and so did the potential Morton's.
These days I stick to Crocs or (wide width) tennies, both of which allow my toes plenty of wiggle space. I'm at the age where comfort takes priority over "stylish" footwear, and I probably couldn't walk in a pair of heels now even under threat of torture. Wearing heels would be the torture! ;D
Yes, doing that does cause MN! Beware of the steroids though, I'm still struggling with my eyes due that stuff's side effects 2 years ago (prescribed for another condition).
At least there are comfy shoes that look nicer than Crocs these days. :)
Yes that would be a bit of a concern!
Glad I don't wear high heels!
I actually think I'll be wearing heels less now that I'm learning more and more about the damage heels do to your feet. Gotta admit, I love the comfy New Balance sneakers. I live in them over the weekend!
Thanks for sharing this information. I've never heard of Mortons Neuroma but I know my aunt had surgery on her feet a while back and can no longer where heels. I wonder if this is what she has.
I wore heels and platforms all the time in the 90s when I was in my 20s but in the last few yrs I wear 2 inch wedges or flats most of the time. I still wear my sky high heels but not on a daily basis. I do love high heels so I don't know if I can ever truly give them up.
Again, great information, voted up and useful.
Peggy, I am thrilled to say I don't have Morton's Neuroma and sad to say I have the heel spurs. Wearing high heels can cause so many different foot ailments (or at least contribute to) that if I had it to do again I probably would not have worn them in days gone by as much as I did. Great information. Voted up and useful.
I always envied women on those high heels, because I was born with club feet - rectified when I was a baby - and I was never able to walk in shoes with higher heels than one inch. At the very most one-and-a-half. Thanks for this interesting hub – I’m sharing it with my friends, for some of them really need to know that high heel shoes could be the cause of Morton's Neuroma.
I get Morton's Neuroma every time I wear my heels!
I can honestly say I had never heard of Morton's Neuroma until I ready your hub. Until you have problems, you don't really think about how important foot health is to your overall well-being. Thanks for such an informative hub.
I wear high heel shoes a lot...and I can't stop. I just hope nothing ever happens :)
Yikes. Sounds painful and worth sharing. Thank you for the heads up!!
This hub caught my eye since I am currently suffering with what seems to be a Morton's neuroma. I have had a few shots of cortisone but it keeps coming back after a few months. Maybe I will have to go with the surgery soon. I am only 5 feet tall and so have worn high heels most of my life. Dang! Thanks for a very informative hub.
The title of your article caught my attention because I love to wear high heeled shoes. I find the information about Morton's Neuroma helpful to your readers especially to women. It reminded me to be more cautious about this type of illness. Great hub!
I just had to read this to find out what was Mortons Neuroma. I can tell you i sure am glad now that i am a woman who doesnt wear high heels to often. To wear them one night a week is enough for me, and even at that i can hardly wait to get home and take them off. Interesting hub!
Peggy,
I have worn heels of about 5 inches for most of my life even though I am six feet tall. Due to the height and slant of my foot in the heels, the tendons on top of my feet have shortened and i now have trouble wearing tennis or flats. I am still in love with the highest of heels and the way they make your legs look.
Warmest regards,
Chris
Wow you know I used to wear heels 24hours a day but getting sore feet made me stop awhile ago. Now after reading this,....oh thank God I did.
Hey that's a good idea! Hahaha And well, wear high heels less! :)
Yes Peggy, I hope he doesn't visit ever... :)
Hi Peggy, I love wearing high heels but working with kids...we felt the need to wear flats. Of course, with exceptions to special occasions, high heels are in! LOL Thanks for this informative hub. We all need to be careful with our footwear then. :)
Good information hub, Thank you I well share with my wife. Enjoy your New Years.
Flats are better than heels :) They're so much comfortable to wear.
Well, no Morton's here, but I once worked for a podiatrist and he believed 'women's shoes' were most or part of the problem. Whatever that may be, I'm with the voters who want only comfortable shoes. I have square feet for sure. :-) I watched the videos but had to make myself watch through the cringing. Great hub info!
No Problem Peggy W :-)
I have always worn heels weather it is out to a club, party, church or anything that requires of me to wear a dressy attire and I had pain but i've always been a custom to it for many years that it does not even phase me anymore. Scary! o_0
"Fashionable" high heeled shoes may be uncomfortable and not good for your feet, but with the right outfit on the right women they look damn good.
That's it-I'm tossing all my high-heels!
I am glad I read this, this is some valuable information. I do worry that people will not read this because of the first line, it almost put me off. Sorry to say it but I would hate for someone to miss the wisdom you share here because of that line :/. For most women this article would be of vital importance to read as abusing our feet with fancy shoes is very common. I personally will only wear comfortable shoes at work since I work outdoors and on my feet but when I get the chance I love to wear my leather boots with high heal, mmmm love those shoes lol. I might be ok since my daily footwear is designed for comfort and the outdoors but I am still glad to know how serious a pain in the foot can get if left untreated, if I start getting the kind of pain you talk about here I will be on my way to the doctors faster then you can say go now. Thanks for sharing this with us!
I used to follow the trends when it came to shoes but I have found more comfort in low heels or flats. My adorable heels sit on my shelf in a box and on occassion I open them and admire them , however I have told them they are no longer going on feet and they understand. lololo Seriously I am done with heels. :)
I am now 55 and have developed osteoarthritis in both my feet. I tried a pair of my daughter's high heels on the other day and cannot imagine wearing high heels for a minute let alone walking in them! Did notice my daughter has severe bunions in both feet, almost certainly the result of wearing these kind of heels. It's a lousy fashion.
Weren't those OR outfits so cool especially the j-cloth caps!
I never could navigate my way in very high heels-and I have to admit I'm one of those lazy crock wearers-bliss!
Another very interesting hub. I can't imagine wearing high heels, I don't think that my back could take it for a minute let alone my feet.
Peggy, I can tell you honestly you don't just get Morton's Metatarsalgia, which is the pain received from a Morton's Neuroma, from high-heeled shoes.
When I was in the Air Force, and we wore flat shoes in there just like the old type school shoe, I developed very severe pain in the ball of my right foot, which used to radiate to my toes. It became so bad that I was sent to see a specialist. I was told that I had a Morton's Neuroma, which had been caused from the stamping of the right foot I used to do when I turned my foot which was part of the salute turn you had to do when you were in Rookies. The Specialist informed me that everytime I was stamping my foot I was placed a lot of pressure on the metatarsal joints in my foot and this had caused the Neuroma to develop. I subsequently had to have surgery and to this day I can still feel the scar.It took me back reading this hub, which was very good by the way, I really enjoyed reading it, I watched the video and saw what they did. Thanks for th memories hhaha BB
This explains many of my foot problems. These days the only shoes I can wear are unfashionable but comfy.
I do think high heels look good but if I was a woman I wouldn't wear those things unless I had to. It only makes sense the if you force your feet to be in an unnatural position for hours a day that it will do you harm.
Some of my toes are numb and also my left small finger. I wonder whether it is you are writing about it. I went to the doctor but in England when your are old, they just put it on old age. Thank you for your infomative hub.
I don't have Morton's Neuroma, but I'm suffering from peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes. It hurts just the same. So high-heels are no way for me. Nice hub, great help.
Peggy!! I have been spared a visit by Mr. Morton.. now I have had plantar faciaitis..(ok I misspelled it..sheesh) and that is intensely painful as well in a different way! Love that we have our own RN/travelpro on staff! Great hub my friend!!
Good thing I don't have it. Belated Merry Christmas, Peggy.
















































Peggy W Hub Author 4 weeks ago
Hi Ruchira,
Thanks for your comment on this hub about Morton's Neuromas and how they can be possibly prevented. I agree that those high heels look great...but they are no longer in my wardrobe either.