Mortons Neuroma and Riding

[flamingnoravera]

I have booked a 6 day riding holiday in July in Spain and my holiday is now all booked and paid for . Last week i was diagnosed with Mortons Neuroma :( I had noticed that the last few times I rode or walked in thin shoes I got numb feet and so in advance of the holiday I thought I would book in to see the podiatrist who has given me an initial diagnosis and a lengthy proper appointment with a foot mechanics specialist next week. It is because I have very narrow feet with no padding on the ball and quite flat feet.

There is no way that I am not going on the holiday so I was wondering about what I could do. I may get prescribed an orthotic to wear in my boots which I hope will help. But i have been browsing around and thought about buying some special stirrups to take with me- these:

www.hmsaddles.com/products/hm-stirrup-irons

Do you think they will think I am mad? Do you think they need special leathers? If I tell them I have this numb foot thing will they say I cannot ride? (I can, I have been doing for ages but it hurts and although I have been riding with the numbness its only been for an hour not 4 hours).

I can email the place and ask about the tack and find out what they have, I think they have Spanish and English saddles but I dont know what Spanish stirrups are like- possibly wider?

Does anyone else have MN and how do you cope?

Im just back this morning . It was fab, the horses were great, the food so good I've put on 2kg, the people so kind and welcoming. I am seriously considering another visit in autumn.
I did get some numbness in my left foot, but nothing like as bad as previously and only in the one foot.

There was WiFi in the dining room but no phone signal. But neither mattered. I am tired today after a delayed flight to the early hours but very very happy and would encourage anyone nervous of holidaying alone to just do it.

Sounds idyllic!

Fair play for putting on some ballast even while doing all that extra exercise

What did you do over the six days, riding-wise?

The riding was all trail riding along mountain roads and tracks. I was out alone with a guide fir two days and then one of the family who were also staying there who could ride well joined me, we mostly walked and cantered, a bit of trotting. Check out the landscape here :
36 50 00N 3 56 20W on google earth.

Odd though, I rode yesterday 15 mins in arena then out on a v short hack and my left foot was numb within 20mins. I was trying out a pony to help out exercising and my foot was dead. I'm so despondent after it being so manageable in Spain. I've been referred for sonogram on my foot by the podiatrist.

flamingnoravera do you mind me asking where did you go on your riding holiday? Did you book it through a specialist company?
I collected a friend from hospital the other day. She had her Morton’s neuroma excised and is now on footrest/no sport for 4 weeks.

almost I went to Andalusia. Do you want the name of the Finca?

Sorry almost I didn't answer all your questions:

Yes I booked through a company called Unicorn Trails, they specialise I'm riding holidays all over the world.

I was picked up from Malaga airport and apart from the flights and transfer costs everything was included, riding, food, drinks (inc wine etc) accommodation, it's such a remote place there's nowhere else to go so it's a great place to just relax and chill out.

I was referred for a steroid injection for my MN. That was 4.5 years ago and I haven't had any problems since.

I too had an injection for MN - was sceptical beforehand but it worked like magic. Prior to that I had days when I could barely let my foot touch the ground, which I think was why I was referred immediately. Would definitely recommend.

Thanks for those positive stories about MN treatment. I hope I can get the sonogram and treatment soon.

So I finally got my scan yesterday and it's definitely MN in both feet and in two nerves in each foot. It's a relief to know what it is. But I'm not looking forward to the treatment. Has anyone had the injections and do they work?

Are you having steroid injections? Did the job for me and no problems since. Does fucking hurt but it's over quickly enough.

I'm going to see my gp now I have a proper diagnosis and will request the injections recommended by the dr who did the scans.