Toe mound pain

[Lauris]

Hello everyone!

I've never walked the Camino, but would love to try this year. My potential issue is toe mound pain - I know that after walking longer distances it gets pretty intense in my right foot. I know there are certain orthopedic products you can put in your show to soften your step, but I want to ask does anyone else have similar issues and has any advice or products they use?

Here's an image of toe mounds, for clarification: http://www.footeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Morton-Neuroma-Figure-1.jpg

 

[SYates]

I am not familiar myself with it, but somebody I met on the Camino suffered from it and he had reasonable success with wearing really wide trekking sandals with an additionally cushioning insole. Others I know swear by 'barefoot shoes' like 5 finger shoes. Usual disclaimer: Ask your health care professional first! Buen Camino, SY

 

[nellpilgrim]

I've found putting some of those gel 'Party feet' (there are lots of brands but they're basically the same thing-I happen to use boots brand as they're not too expensive) things either on the insole or sometimes, if the upper surface of the insole itself has some cushioning, between the sole and the underside of the insole of the boot/shoe. That gives me enough cushioning for extended walking over long distances. Note that I walk in cold weather but the plastic nature of the gel may have an impact in terms of sweating in hot weather.

 

[Barney451@aol.com]

I have a neuroma and when I did my Camino in 2014 I would alternate between hiking boots and whenever feasible hiking sandals. The hiking sandals did double duty as my auberge footwear. Now, when I hike, I stop every 90 to 120 minutes and massage my foot for 5 minutes, this seems to work. I have seen several podiatrists about the problem and none of them have a gauranteed solution.

 

[t2andreo]

I have several suggestions:

• I believe I have seen commercially available gel-filled insoles for this condition in pharmacies. Do your research. For example, in the US, here is what the Dr. Scholl's site suggests for "pain in the ball of the foot" (at least it is in the ballpark of where your pain manifests). https://www.drscholls.com/footconditions/balloffootpain/
• Consult your podiatrist. A custom foot orthotic might help. I have them (for a different condition). They simply replace the insole that came with the hiking boot or shoe. I rinse and dry them nightly at my lodgings so they do not get too "funky."
• Absent that, and as others have suggested, experiment with different types of insoles, socks, and padding.

Finally, make sure the "toe box" of your shoes or boots is large enough to provide plenty of space so your feet are not constricted. Properly fitted hiking boots or shoes should hold your foot in place at the top of the shoe (where you lace it).

The heel should be free to ride up and down a bit (less than one inch - 3 cm). The front of the shoe / boot should have enough space so, when the shoe is tightened with laces, your feet NEVER strike the inside front of the toe box on a down hill. THAT wil cause additional pain, blisters and loss of toenails. It can ruin any Camino.

I hope this helps.

 

[mcopeland]

I've found putting some of those gel 'Party feet' (there are lots of brands but they're basically the same thing-

I wonder if they would keep my feet from sliding forward and hurting my toes when I walk. I've followed the recommendation to tighten my shoelaces up above the arch, but that doesn't help. My second toe is longer than my big toe and so I need a larger shoe than I normally would (I have Keens for their wide toe box).

 

[BShea]

I also wear Keen's (which I love) but I get blisters under my toenails and then end up loosing my nails. I have realized that I tend to scrunch up my toes when I walk, especially going downhill ( I think it's the result of a lifetime of clutching on to flipflops/Dr. Scholls sandals, etc.) This year, I'm trying hammer toe gel cushions (I bought them for $1.00 a pair out of China, but you can get them at drug stores for $5 each). Maybe these could help?

 

[mcopeland]

Thanks. They look worth a try.

 

[nellpilgrim]

I wonder if they would keep my feet from sliding forward and hurting my toes when I walk. I've followed the recommendation to tighten my shoelaces up above the arch, but that doesn't help. My second toe is longer than my big toe and so I need a larger shoe than I normally would (I have Keens for their wide toe box).

If you put the gel pad between the sole and the insole of your boot then 'sliding' and even if you use the gel pad on top of your insole with correct lacing (this can take a while to get right) it shouldn't cause slipping. But again I'm an Autumn, Winter Spring walker so the extra heat/sweat factor is one that might cause slippage.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Everything you add to the boot changes the fit. Massage and stretching may ease the pain in the evening, but I suspect that you will just need to take an NSAID pain killer and take the pain.