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3 Jun
7:42am, 3 Jun 2025
First-time poster!!
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Dmitrii Garmash
Hi everyone!
I'm a marathon runner, mid-advanced level (half-marathon PB — 1:16:45), running about 70 km (43 mi) per week.
No excess weight. I have naturally high arches, but also a pronounced transverse flatfoot, especially on the right side.
The issue:
My right foot goes numb during runs, regardless of the shoe model. It usually starts around the 10 km (6 mi) mark and gets worse from there.
Left foot feels totally fine.
I don’t experience any numbness while walking — only during running.
What I’ve tried:
– Different shoes (always with a wide toe box to give the foot more space)
– Several pairs of orthotic insoles, including custom-made ones
– Proper lacing techniques, massage, physiotherapy
In the past, orthotics helped, but not anymore. I’ve adjusted/reshaped them multiple times (probably 10+ visits to the clinic), but no lasting results.
If anyone has experienced similar symptoms, I’d really appreciate hearing how you dealt with it.
And most importantly: if you can recommend a specialist in the UK or (preferably) Austria/Germany or central Europe who really helped you — I’d be super grateful!
Thanks in advance!
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3 Jun
10:42am, 3 Jun 2025
31,867 posts
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fetcheveryone
I've no advice to offer, sorry - but I'm just bumping this in case someone else can suggest something. Welcome to FE.
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3 Jun
10:49am, 3 Jun 2025
52,945 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
There are a few physios and podiatrists here Dimitri and lots of folk who have had problems and resolved, so hoe some advice will come for you.
Presume it's not a stress fracture as that would cause pain rather than numbness? Mortons Neuroma?
If you have time and energy, what about no orthotics and try and retrain to a neutral shoe. Would require foot strengthening eg barefoot running a mile on grass and probably calf strengthening etc too?
Caveat - I am neither a physio nor a podiatrist!
Beat of luck.  G
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3 Jun
9:32pm, 3 Jun 2025
56,929 posts
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Mrs Jigs (Luverlylegs)
Giving this another bump for the evening folk.
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4 Jun
1:34pm, 4 Jun 2025
29,079 posts
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GimmeMedals
I saw a NHS physio recently due to toe pain and occasional foot numbness. She said to tell runners to go and see a physio at the first sign of a problem.
My issue appears to be caused by a nerve in my buttock. I was surprised by this but it reinforced why seeing a physio is a good idea.
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4 Jun
1:38pm, 4 Jun 2025
68,123 posts
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EvilPixie
I know of runner and triathlete who had an issue
After a lot of tests she was told she had Parkinson’s
So yes see someone
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4 Jun
1:55pm, 4 Jun 2025
13,041 posts
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lammo
I was going to say lower back or glutes nerve issue, from my own experiences, not exactly like yours, but Gimme beat me to it.
I'm neither doctor nor physio, but get properly checked, and good luck.
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4 Jun
2:07pm, 4 Jun 2025
6,474 posts
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K5 Gus
Does your whole foot go numb, or just a part of the foot - and if so, which part ?
A few months ago I started getting numbness in the ball of the foot after about 6 miles, and podiatrist thinks its the fat pad under the ball of the foot that is no longer as thick as it was, official name for this is "fat pad atrophy".
Lots of online remedies involve super soft insoles/orthotics, but what my podiatrist suggested was to try and take the pressure off the ball of the foot. She did this by using a piece of really firm rubber/foam material with the area under the ball of the foot cut out, then I've stuck this to the underneath of the insole.
It's helped a lot, from not being able to run more than about 6-7 miles without numbness and pain, I can now do 20 miles (and hopefully get back to ultras).
If your area of numbness is different, then obviously this may not work !
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8 Jun
9:34pm, 8 Jun 2025
7,970 posts
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Snoot
From personal experience I'd agree with the lower back nerve issue. I was having issues with cramp and foot numbness after about 12-13mi, got referred to someone who determined while cramp may be influenced by nutrition / electrolyte / hydration it didn't explain the numbness. After an MRI he found nerves pinched at L4/L5 so referred me to physio which has sorted it.
So while I'm not a physio / doctor I'd recommend getting checked out based on my experience.
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