Morton Neuroma surgery question

Guest · Guest

I thought I would provide an update 18 months on after neuroma surgery. I have no feeling between the toes, but this was expected. I have no neuroma pain, and I can stand up at parties again.

Best thing I ever did, just regretted waiting so long to have it done.

michelin · Newbie Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 3 Location: NJ

I am 29 years old and have had a neuroma for a couple of years now. It was diagnosed after I would experience numbness/tingling in the toes if I did the elliptical at the gym for more than 20 min. So I stopped doing the elliptical and things were better. I also wore less heels (not that I wore a lot before) and better shoes in general. The neuroma really started to flare up when I started salsa dancing in January. It got to the point that it felt like there was a fire in my foot one time while dancing. I’ve had the cortisone shots but they haven’t helped. I mostly have the numbing/tingling while dancing or sometimes in heels-especially if it’s already inflamed by the dancing. In the last few weeks I’ve felt an occasion tingling at the tip of the toes while doing nothing. Not painful, just different. My current doctor says surgery is the next option. Here are my questions: Anyone know anything about alcohol shots? One doctor had mentioned it to me. What questions should I ask my doctor? Has anyone had a successful surgery? What’s your opinion about having it when I’m not in pain daily? It’s mostly associated with dancing. However, I LOVE to dance and I’m young.

bria · Newbie Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

Michelin, I have been dealing with a neuroma since May '06 going through several different doctors. I was having the same problems as you; tremendous pain at the gym and then just all the time. The second doctor I saw gave me 3 of those alcohol shots you asked about and they were awful! My foot swelled each time and I couldn't walk for 2 days after each shot, he assured me it was just a small reaction and not to worry. I finally got smart and went to a third doctor, he told me that those shots have not been proven to work effectively and his partner used them on a patient and she had the same reaction - my advice is to stay away from the alcohol shots. After that mess, the third doctor gave me several cortizon injections and tried orthodics-nothing worked and I ended up having surgery several days before Christmas '06. The surgery was not bad but the crutches were no fun, I had minimal to no pain from surgery. Unfortunately, the pain from the neuroma went away for a short time but, then came back twice as painful. We tried several more cortizone shots to try and kill the nerve but I ended up being included in a small percent of people that get a "stump neuroma" - this is when it grows back. He referred me to a new surgeon and the only option was surgery but this time they would go through the bottom of my foot. I had surgery several days ago (july 25th), this time I had a little more pain after surgery but not much. I am supposed to be on crutches for 3-4 weeks (no weight bearing) and I have a huge surgical boot that I will be wearing for awhile. My surgeon said that the "stump neuroma" grew back into scar tissue and thats why it was so painful but, my surgeon also said he has never had a stump grow back again. I apoligize for the long story but, I thought the more information the better. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments let me know-I will be checking often since crutches put a limit on what you can do! Ha Ha. In the end I don't regret the surgery but, I do regret the alcohol shots and seeing two doctors that had no idea what they were talking about. I keep my fingers crossed that this surgery will do the trick, I am too young to limit my activities due to foot pain.

michelin · Newbie Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 3 Location: NJ

Bria, thanks so much for your response. Did you have a podiatrist or an ortho surgeon specializing in foot and ankle do your surgery? Went to my podiatrist today and he mentioned the alcohol shots. Says it's inconsistent/unpredictable if it will help but that he's seen a 'couple' of people helped by it. He claims it's less painful than cortisone shots (had them, didn't help) and that there's no downside to having it other than it won't work, and that I can walk on it and everything. Which is diff from what you're telling me and what someone else wrote about the alcohol shots.

Re: surgery he said I wouldn't need crutches and would be able to put full weight on it the day of surgery, but that it would be sore and there'd be some numbing. Thing is mine isn't painful all the time; my doc said he couldn't even feel it today-though I DEFINITELY felt the clicking and the pain when he squeezed on it.

Anybody have opinions about using a podiatrist vs. orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle? Anybody have the surgery even though their pain was not daily and mostly associated w/ specific activities?

Bria, hope you heal well and fast!

bria · Newbie Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

Michelin, from my experience with those alcohol shots they hurt 10 times worse than the cortizone shots. It is painful when they administer the shot and like I said earlier it's even worse after the injection.

The doctor who did my first sugery was a podiatrist but, the doctor who performed my recent surgery was a specialist from a foot and ankle institute at a hospital around my area.

As for your doctor telling you that you would be able to walk on your foot the same day of your surgery, that sounds a little "off" to me. Even with my first surgery I wasn't allowed to walk on it for about a week. I think it would be in your best interest to see a specialist.

bboywannabe · Newbie Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

http://www.steadyhealth.com/viewtopic.php?t=137800&hpr=Cryosurgery_for_Morton_s_Neuroma__VIDEO_INCLUDED_

Check out this video showing how cryosurgery can treat morton's neuroma

Guest · Guest

I had the alcohol shots and the cyro freeze of the a very painful neuroma. Cortisone shot was not effective. I had no adverse effects with the alcohol shots. They were painful during some of th einjection treatment but no adverse side effects. Unfortunately it didn't help too much. Going for the surgery. Can't take the pain anymore.
Is it better to go to a Podiatrist or an orthapedic surgeon for this type of surgery?

KerryShin · Newbie Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

Did the cryosurgeon use a nerve stimulator? Did he mention anything about a second treatment?
How big is your neuroma and how long have you had it? Sometimes multiple treatments are required for larger neuromas.

laurainsem · Newbie Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Gettysburg

I had decompression surgery for Morton's Neuroma two and a half months ago. I still have a sort of "hard" feeling where the surgery was done. Part of my middle toes is still numb, and I have tingling on the ball of my foot. The pain that was bugging me in the beginning was around my big toe. When I turn my foot inward or bend my toes I have a lot of pain. They now think along with the neuroma, an intermetatarsal spur, I also have tarsal tunnel syndrome. I am now looking at other treatment options and am so frustrated. So far I have already tried all conservative treatments and it looks like possibly more surgery. Anyone else have similar problems? I am only 27 and don't want to permanently damage my foot. It has already been through enough!

laurainsem · Newbie Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Gettysburg

I had decompression surgery for morton's neuroma over two and half months ago. I am still in pain. I have a hard feeling in surgical site, tingling pain on the ball of foot, plus partial numbness on one side of middle toe.
Along with this, I still have the original pain in my big toe, severe pain when I turn my foot inward and bend my toes. They now think I have tarsal tunnel syndrome along with the neuroma and intermetatarsal spur. I seem to be running out of conservative treatment options and worried I may be facing yet another surgery. Has anyone else had experiences like this? I am only 27 and am worried about the damage to my foot.

Morton Neuroma surgery question

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