Tips for running with Morton's toes?

May 26, 2010 1:34 PM

What are the methods and products you've used to deal with a Morton's toe?

I'm looking for anything from products, specialists to see, or running techniques. Anything that might help, really.

My second toes are slightly longer than my first toes, so when I run, they smash against the front of my shoes. It's painful, both while running and for a couple of days after - so if I want to run regularly, it means constant pain.

I currently use a gel toe guard on each, which somewhat mitigates the pain and damage. It happens whether I run outdoors or on a treadmill. I do have to run about a mile before I notice the pain. My left foot is noticeably worse than my right.

Right now I'm running in Nike Darts that are a bit old, so shoe recommendations are especially welcome.

posted by punchtothehead to Health & Fitness (8 answers total)

Try this.

I don't work for them...just found so much good stuff in that book.
posted by Not Supplied at 1:50 PM on May 26, 2010

I have Morton's toe and marathoned three times with no problems. Maybe find a real running shoe store and get fitted?
posted by fixedgear at 2:14 PM on May 26, 2010

I have Morton's toe and never had a problem running in New Balance. Or, well, ballet dancing on pointe, or wearing any other kind of shoe. And my second toes are quite a bit longer than my first. Hm. I think it is probably that your shoes are too small.
posted by millipede at 3:37 PM on May 26, 2010

Best answer: Seconding fixedgear. I have a Morton's neuroma which I blame on my evil Morton's finger-toe and I went to a running-gear store to get properly fitted with some cross-trainers. The right shoe really made the difference (in my case Nike Airs). It nipped a neuroma flareup in the bud, and when properly laced and tied (no slipping my feet in pre-tied shoes), there's no scrunching up against the front of the shoe. A lot of people swear by Vibram 5-fingers, and I have heard people like the Nike Frees but they run narrow so that didn't help with the neuroma, although it might have been fine for the toes. Just try a bunch on in a Fleet Feet or similar.

Also, I always know it's time for a pedicure as soon as that $*! toe starts hitting the front of the shoe!
posted by headnsouth at 3:39 PM on May 26, 2010

Never been a problem. I wear Pegasuses maybe half a size bigger than non-running shoes.
posted by callmejay at 3:44 PM on May 26, 2010

Nthing fixedgear with this additional: Go to a real running shoe store, not an outlet mall or a place where they hire kids still in school and dress them up in striped shirts. You need an experienced runner to fit your shoes for running style, foot shape and comfort. Expect a good pair of running shoes to last about six months before they should be replaced due to wear, breakdown and compression.
posted by Old Geezer at 3:49 PM on May 26, 2010

Wrong tab. Crap.
posted by schmod at 6:51 AM on May 27, 2010

I wear Vibram Five Fingers - you have to be careful in fitting if you have Morton's, as Vibram says that "if your second toe is more than 1/6" longer than your big toe it may be difficult to get a precise fit". However, I have long toes in general so I just went up a size and they are fine.
posted by catlet at 8:06 AM on May 27, 2010