Morton’s Neuromas:
Hear from those who've had them!
Dr. Jarrett, Just wanted you to know how happy I am that I found you on the Internet. After two neuroma surgeries and numerous cortisone injections on my left foot, my right foot started in with the same thing. When I did a google search and found your site, I wanted to believe that you could help but I already had 3 pairs of orthotics, all helped just a little but none of them were much better than the other. When I called for a free consultation, what you said made sense. I figured if you were willing to guarantee your help, I was willing to try. The foot that I had surgery on still hurts a little but I have absolutely no pain in my right foot. It has been 4 months since I started wearing them, and I cannot believe the difference. I can wear the 30's now in most of my shoes and the 25's in my shoes with a "good" arch support. Thanks so much for all your help, I only wish I would have found you 5 years ago. Shirley Heinrich Colorado Springs , CO 03/28/04
Dr. Jarrett, I've been using the 20 and 25 degree orthotics for about 3 months now, and they are the first and only orthotic that has enabled me to walk more than 500 feet without pain in athletic shoes. Although there is also significant improvement in my street shoes, the benefits in casual shoes have been extraordinary. I've tried dozens of other designs over 25 years and none have fulfilled their promise as has your design. Congratulations. Now how do we make you an orthotic guru? Your products are too good to keep in obscurity. Rich Spitzer Northbrook, IL. August 28 2004
Dear Dr. Jarrett. Thank goodness that I found you on the Internet, because none of the medication or injections were helping with my wife's neuroma. Thanks to your orthotics she is walking more than ever with little to no pain. It has been 3 months since she canceled her surgery and we have you to thank for that.
I received the Theta-Orthotics a week ago and I've been wearing them since. There's definite improvement, the pain in the ball of my foot is less (sometimes more sometimes less). When should I switch to the 30 degree orthotics? Is there a set time from the beginning of treatment? I understand the higher degree of correction level the more chances for significant improvement.. Another question, do you know if any medical insurance covers Theta Orthotics? I am currently covered under Oxford Freedom Select.
Thank you again, looking forward to hearing from you. Feel free with any questions here on email.
Best regards, Roman Bensman
Dear Dr. Jarrett. Thank goodness that I found you on the Internet, because none of the medication or injections were helping with my wife's neuroma. thanks to your orthotics she is walking more than ever with little to no pain. It has been 3 months since she canceled her surgery and we have you to thank for that . James Walker 03/05/2004 Conroe, TX.
Dear Doctor Jarrett, I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your answering all of my questions and taking the time to help me feel comfortable. I almost never feel my Neuroma any more now that I wear the 25 degree orthotic all the time. Those injections I used to get were very painful and did nothing for very long. Thanks Lya Watkins, 03/08/2004 Bensalem, PA..
Jan. 26, 2005 HELLO DR. JARRETT, RODELLA JOHNSTON HERE ( COMPUTER). HAS BEEN DOWN FOR SOME TIME….) ANY WAY I FEEL I NEED TO UPGRADE TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF CORRECTION, I’M HAVING LOTS!!!!!! OF KNEE HIP NECK & LOWER BACK PAIN , SOME NEURONOMA(SP?)I ORDERED LAST AUG.30, 04.
RODELLA JOHNSTON Jerry.johnston@att.net
Jan. 27 2005 Rodella, Just checked your records and I show that I made you a 20 degree orthotic 09/28/04. No question I can do better with a 25. I will try to submit a re-order on your card for 99.00 and send the 25 ASAP. Chris will call you tomorrow if she has any questions on this order; Otherwise, ,consider your help on the way. Dr. Jarrett
Feb. 2, 2005 THANK YOU DR. JARRETT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY GOSH, NO PAIN& ONLY AFTER 3 DAYS………….THANK YOU .
RODELLA JOHNSTON
I wanted to follow up on our discussion about my neuroma problem last summer (See original note below), and also ask a question about re-orders.
The good news: I have avoided surgery. Last July, I ordered three sets of orthotics, with "theta" levels of 25, 30, and 35. I felt relief with the 30- and 35-level inserts almost immediately, and continue to wear them in different sets of shoes to this day. The 35-level allowed me to wear a relatively soft-soled, high-arch street shoe for the first time in 4 years. I also experienced a marginal (10-20%) improvement in the neuroma itself. The benefit occurred in the first 90 days, however, and then leveled off. In the past 2-3 months, the benefit seems to have decreased a bit, and the pain increased. It seemed to me that the next thing I should do would be order a pair with the 40-level theta and see if that improves things additionally. Let me know if you disagree.
Thanks again for your perception in designing these worthwhile products and making them available to us otherwise miserable folks.
Jim Jepperson
Berkeley, California.
07/06/04 Dear Dr. Jarrett,
I am interested in the product you have advertised for treatment of Morton's neuromas. I am concerned, however, that my neuroma problem may be beyond this. I have suffered from this condition for almost five years now. I have been treated by two reputable California podiatric surgeons, the first of whom initially treated me only for a garden-variety plantar fasciitis inmy right foot. At one point in that treatment, he prescribed a splint to keep my foot and tendons stretched during sleep. Unfortunately, the splint's upward pressure on the ball of my foot the first night I affected nerves within and I haven't been able to walk well (let alone run
orexercise) since.
My podiatrist concluded that the nerve had been injured by stretching or crushing, and tried cortisone injections without success. He later referred me to an acupuncturist (an M.D.), whose treatment provided modest temporary relief. I later consulted with another well-known podiatric surgeon, who ultimately confirmed the Morton's neuroma diagnosis (even summoning aMulder's click) concluded that surgery (by which he meant excision) would be appropriate, though he was candid about the relatively low success rate and relatively frequent complications.
I like both these gentlemen, who are experienced, thoughtful, well-published, and well-meaning. But I also am concerned about surgery,and so did a great deal of personal research among podiatric and medical journals, and ultimately concluded that the current trend in thought probably disfavors excision and is moving toward various forms of ligament release. From my research I also concluded that the size and shape of my
feet have causal connections to the condition: I have size 11 feet thatalso are freakishly wide (5E, 6E if I can get them), with the widest part across the metatarsals I had only just found sufficiently wide shoes available by mail through Hitchcock when my plantar fasciitis arose; before then I had suffered with cramped feet for my then 40 years. Based on what I have read I conclude that the constant squeezing of my metatarsals over the years certainly irritated the nerves between them, and that the splint that was prescribed irritated nerves that already were on the cusp of a neuroma.Since then I can function (though with discomfort) only with shoes that have EXTREMELY soft soles, with additional rubberized padding. The bottom of myfoot is extremely sensitive; merely placing it on the floor while sitting produces unacceptable discomfort. I continue to wear
orthotics, which are prescribed only for my plantar fasciitis (which, by the way, has never had achance to fully resolve because I cannot stretch out my foot) rather thanfor the
neuroma. For two reasons, then, I wonder whether your unusual orthotic would help me: First, because my problem I suspect relates to foot width rather than inherent problems with my arch (which, by the way, has never troubled me), the increased theta might no do the trick here. Second, because my foot is so sensitive in the area anterior to where your orthotic leaves off, I do not know if I could really wear it without pain. Sorry to ramble on so, but I was intrigued by your site and comments, and am also in the process of writing back to both my podiatrists after a year without treatment to discuss surgical options. I'm open-minded on this, and would be interested to hear if you believe your product might actuallyprovide a major benefit for me.
Thanks for your time,
Jim Jepperson Berkeley, CA.
05/03/05 Dr. Jarrett:
I had my doubts about the orthotics after the first day of wear (or I should say "first night of wear" as I am a Nurse working a 12-hour night shift in a busy hospital!) My feet were anything but comfortable, but by the second night, I was adjusting. The pain and burning from my "newly developed" Morton's Neuroma almost immediately disappeared. My husband and I both noticed a big difference, though, in my posture AFTER removing my shoes the first day. My ankles were actually in proper alignment WITHOUT my shoes on and without me concentrating on my stance!!! I am almost 50 years old, and this is the first time since I was about 5 years old that I have had proper foot alignment! Feels kind of strange, actually!
I am almost ready to try the higher level of correction, so you will receive further updates. My husband had a horrendous surgical experience in the removal of a Morton's Neuroma almost 18 years ago, and constantly has pain from the area. After my positive experience, we are ordering his orthotics from your company today!!!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Janet Easton
Dr. Jarrett,
I have been very pleased with the results received by wearing your product. Do I need to increase to a 35 due to the fact that my Hammer toe has not gone down? However, the Neuroma pain has subsided. What is your suggestion? I wear the 25 in my dress shoes and the 30 in my Rockport work shoes as well as my New Balance.
If I need to increase what would be cost of the 35?
Leon Walton.
Montgomery, AL 36117 44/21/05
Let us hear from you! Call Toll Free 1-800-55-THETA (84382) for answers to your specific questions or to schedule a telephone consultation with Dr. Jarrett. E-mail Questions
Theta-Orthotics
PO Box 1574
Riverton, Utah 84065
1-800-558-4382