Morton's Toe Pad - What LENGTH should it be ???

With a mortons toe (first is shorter), you will spring off the second and third toe which can also cause a pinching of the nerve in that area with entrapment (neuroma).

With that in mind, running barefoot when what you really want is an assist may not be the best idea here. In my experience, a minimalist shoe with a customised insole works well. Basically, you can buy an off the shelf insole, cut the front of it to give your first toe more surface area and the others less. This will allow you more leverage off of your first toe.

Another thing that can help is a metatarsal pad on the orthosis at the pad of the foot between the 2nd and third toes to raise up that area of the foot alittle, preventing entrapment.

This is of course, assuming your pelvis and legs are perfect (they may not be).

Orthotics are just part of the equation. Myofascial work to the core is a second thing you need to consider. My book, Cheating Mother Nature (available through amazon), can be helpful in understanding how some of this works.

Simply explained, we inherit our gait style from our parents and pass it on to our kids. Their problems are likely your problems. Since you have been this way most of your life, you cannot change the way you are built, but you can cheat the system and a foot orthotic may help. Consider seeing a myotherapist or chiropractor if available for a more professional look at your problems.

I am not sure which resources are available in your country but if you can download the book it will be helpful to you.

Hello Bobok

May I also add that I personally do not use the padding that you are describing above. I have had many barefoot / mid foot runners with morton's toe and switched them to a different pad.

The reason you are getting the callus on the 2nd metatarsal head is that -

1. One this is the midline of the foot (in everyone) so this is where most of your forces are centered
2. Your long second toe creates a retro-grade pressure increasing forces even more

If you are using the padding you describe above and ALSO have a plantar flexed first ray (which is possible) then yes you will feel more pain when using this padding.

Instead I recommend a met pad or U-pad for the foot. These can be put directly on your foot or in the shoe (depending on which shoe you are wearing).

Keep the callus shaved as to decrease your pain in that area.

I hope this provides some help!