For me, it started with a sensation on the bottom of my right foot - as if I had a small pebble stuck there. But actually looking at the bottom of my foot, it was clear nothing was there. It was more than a little mind-warping, actually. I mean, I could FEEL it when I stood on my right foot ... and yet nothing was there.
The first podiatrist I saw was useless. "Just purchase custom orthotics for $600".
The second podiatrist I saw was awesome and explained what was going on with my foot: a Morton's Neuroma (or Intermetatarsal Neuroma).
In general, a neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue. A Morton's Neuroma is a thickening of the nerve tissue between the metatarsal bones of the foot - the bones where your toes connect to the foot, or the ball of the foot as it is commonly called. Over time, due to the way your foot was made, the shoe choices you made or trauma, the nerve inbetween those bones can get irritated and thickens. When this happens, the nerve gets compressed and nerve damage occurs.
Each person has an individual reaction to a Morton's Neuroma, and symptoms can vary. I felt like I had a rock in my foot; other people report tingling or numbness or pain. If you'd like to read more about Morton's Neuroma, I recommend this link: http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/mortons-neuroma.htm
My podiatrist said the easiest, non-surgical option was to wear shoes that did not bend. If the shoe doesn't bend, then the metatarsal bones don't flex, and the nerve doesn't get irritated. The shoe fashionista in me whined and cried at the thought of putting on a pair of ... shudder ... Dankos. But I have to give credit where credit is due ... Danskos have totally fixed the issue for me.
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