What are the best shoes to wear while being treated for neuroma? My pod suggested several different brands of walking shoes (which I have,) but my foot feels so much better in plain flip flops. Are these bad to wear?
Thanks!

Hi Shelly,

You can't argue with what feels best.

The three things that seem to help my patients are (1) a rigid shank and (2) a metatarsal pad (3) a wide enough shoe. So it's not so much the brand name of the shoe, it's more about trying to incorporate those characteristics of the shoe into what you're wearing.

First brand that does come to mind is Birkenstock. Birk's have a big met pad and a rigid shank. Most are made wide. And they're not all just sandals. I have on a pair of Birkenstocks today that are a buck suede leather lace up Oxford.

The width of the shoe does matter. Perhaps that's why the flip flops seem to feel better?

Jeff

Hi Shelly - if you need heels or dress shoes, I have found Trotters to be very nice - not binding. Also for home the Merrell Jungle Slide is very comfy.

Pop a metatarsal pad on the bottom side of the insert in the Merrell's and that'd be a great Morton's neuroma shoe.

Jeff

Nancy-Thanks for the tip on the Trotters. They are not quite as clunky looking as the Merrells and several styles would look good for my work.

Dear Dr. Jeff - that's a good point with the Merrells - I haven't been able to wear the met pads - they just through off my gait and make my back crazy - maybe it will work underneath - I'll give it a try!

Wear the shoes for a few days and then check the wear pattern in the sock liner (insert) of the shoe. It's best if you can place the met pad just proximal or behind the weight bearing portion of the ball of the foot.

Jeff

Thanks Dr. Jeff - did you mean almost in the arch of the foot - but sort of doen toward the toes?

Right. The best thing to do is to place it in the same location as shown in the picture for metatarsal pads. But remember, the pad doesn't necessarily need to go directly on the skin. Could be on the skin, on the top of the inner sole of the shoe or on the bottom of the inner sole.

Jeff

Thanks!