Carla wrote: "... my left foot was just excruciatingly painful... friend who
does have this... and has been through about a year of intense pain, surgery,
and even worse, and is still riding. Up to this point, I really didn't
realize that what I've been feeling is what she's been dealing with..."
You have my sympathy. I had surgery on my
left foot with good results. Like you, I didn't realize that I had a
neurologic problem. I tried many saddles and stirrups and boots with
no improvement. I thought it was a circulatory problem
until the pain became unbearable, "like a toothache" (duh, nerve pain!). I
still have a neuroma on the right foot, but it is not as problematic as the
left was. Neuroma is the result of poor foot conformation
and the failure to wear well-fitted footwear. When the arch
falls the metatarsal bones squish and annoy nerves that pass through
the complicated foot joint structures. Besides surgery the use of
selective footwear, a plenty-wide toe box and substantial arch support, has
helped me the most. I wish you success whatever course you choose.
