I am really surprised by many of the posts here about morton's neuroma. I wonder about the care that these podiatrists and other doctors are taking in their diagnosis. I read only one person receiving diagnostic testing and not until several months later AFTER treatments.
I'm lucky to be seeing a foot specialist that treats our city's NFL team. He diagnosed me with the neuroma about 10 months ago. Because of my acute phobia of hypodermic needles we tried for 8 months to treat very conservatively with oral cortasteroids, crutches for 6 weeks, and physical therapy. All of this significantly reduced the pain and swelling but did not fully heal the neuroma.
BEFORE attempting any injections, my foot specialist sent me for ultrasound. The neuroma was confirmed along with a swollen bursa. The attending physician at the hospital gave me two cortisone injections immediately after the ultrasound. I should note, he confirmed exact site of the neuroma and depth via ultrasound and utilizing live video feed, injected my foot to insure he was hyper-accurate with the needles. I was instructed to ice my foot (20 minutes on / 20 off) for 3 days and stay off my feet almost totally.
Also, he noted pain would increase for 2-3 days before decreasing. It takes about 2 weeks for the cortisone shots to take full effect and I should have relief for at least 3-6 months, if not permanently. Although the ultrasound made it easy enough to see the neuroma for injecting, the swollen bursa and surrounding tissue obscured a complete view. Neither the attending at the hospital nor my foot specialist are certain of the exact size of the neuroma and therefore unwilling to commit to any definitive statements. The agreed diagnosis from both of them is wait for the bursa swelling to go away and, if I am still feeling pain, return for ultrasound guided alcohol injections. I feel confident in this procedure given the expertise of my doctors.
I have read that the alcohol must be injected directly into the neuroma, usually 4-7 visits, for results to be achieved. If injections are not into the neuroma tissue, there will be little relief and damage to other foot tissues may occur. I would question any doctor who would not run a definitive test such as ultrasound or MRI before injecting a tiny spot (a large neuroma is around 20mm, most are under 10mm) with medication that must hit the mark not only to treat but also prevent complications.
My advice to all, do not get injections - of any kind - without testing. If your doctor says "I think it could be this..." Take the conservative path and if you don't find relief, then get tests or a second opinion. Don't have any procedure done without a FULL explanation of what to expect painwise during and afterwards, recoup time, post-procedure care, side effects/complications, and success rate. Any doctor not willing to take the time to answer these questions is not a good doctor. After all, it's you body and only you have to live with it in the end.
Best of luck to you all in whatever treatment you pursue.
I've been googling for any help at all because I can barely walk around my own home. I'm okay on carpet and when I'm using proper orthotics or metatarsal pads in tennis shoes.
About 6 years ago I had mortons neuromas in both feet (which seemed to come on, immediately, after wearing tight Keds one time) and the podiatrist gave me a cortisone injection each and metatarsal pads. After around 9 months, they both seemed go away.
Around a year ago I started having the same type of pain but worse in only my left foot. I went to my family doctor about 8 months ago and he gave me a cortisone shot. It relieved some but then it got worse. I put more weight on my other foot and ended up hurting my knee after another 6 months so I went to a foot specialist. He gave me a painful cortisone shot which may have helped somewhat for a very short time. I'm wary of surgery so I will do anything short of that. I know that surgery can create different pain, even if it works to alleviate the current pain. He said if the cortisone shot didn't work to come back and we'll do the alcohol shots. I went back because I'm still having trouble walking. He told me that the shots will kill the nerve and that I should keep using the orthotics, pads, etc. and think about it longer.
I already decided not to but after seeing these posts, I'm 100% convinced not to go with the alcohol shots. I have the felt metatarsal pads, blue rubber ones, the Dr Scholls with the built in metatarsal pad and the walk-fit inserts which were said to be good for mortons neuroma and metatarsalgia but really aren't. I'm open to any suggestions!
Alcohol injections can be done on the face as well as the feet for Morton's Neuroma. I had an ALCOHOL BLOCK
on my mouth . The result turned out to be a disaster. I got an infection in the injection site. This infection produced
a stump neuroma which I have had for 30 years and can't get rid of. The same thing could occur in the feet.
The best solution for Morton's Neuroma is NOT do anything to the affected nerve. This means no ALCOHOL BLOCKS,
NO NERVE EXCIISION SURGERY, NO CRYO THERAPY. The least invasive surgery is a NERVE DECOMPRESSION
SURGERY on the affected nerves in the foot. This surgery simply opens up the area the nerve lies in the foot.
This allows any or most external pressure on the affected nerve to be partially or in a excellant result all
external pressure is removed. This NERVE DECOMPRESSION SURGERY does not cut nerves, scar them
like ALCOHOL BLOCKS DO.
If you goto the URL
***Post is edited by moderator *** Web addresses not allowed***Please read our Terms of Use
you will find the DELLON INSTITUTE FOR PERIPHIAL NERVE SURGERY. i HAD Dr. ERIC WILLIAMS
operate on me.
Thanks for posting it. I just had 2nd injection now, the pain has decrease after the first one. The doctor said it does help to speed thing up when you treated on early stage. the shot was painless with proper equipment, I was able to walk after the procedure, but doctor want me to take it ease for a day or two. I don't have the problem like other posts was describing here.
I have had surgery twice on my right foot for 2 neuromas, I have scar tissue where those surgeries were performed that is really painful. I'm a runner so it really is beginning to be a problem. I did a 5k over the weekend and I'm now having a problem with my left foot which feels like a neuroma may be developing in that foot. I'm going to make an appt. with my foot dr. and see what he thinks about the alcohol injections. Before my prior surgeries, I did every treatment available...the pain was so bad there were days I couldn't even walk.. I've found that when I run on concrete/asphalt I have greater foot pain, when I run on a tread mill...none to speak of. I'd be wary of surgery tho...not sure if the end result is worth it if you are runner.....
Guest: What state are you in and who is the dr. I just went through it all also. About 6 shots of cortisone with no relief. Just had my first alcohol injection that hurt like crazy and left me with a big red blotch on the top of the foot near the injection site. I don't know if it is blood or maybe my skin is burnt. I am very frustrated at this point. I am scared to death to get another alcohol injection just because it hurt so much.
I had 2 neuromas in each foot. I had cortisone injecctions the did not seem to help much. Then had 2 surgeries (did both feet at a time each time) then had a surgery to lift the bone in the foot and had screws in them, had to have another surgery to remove the screws.Both feet at a time each time. Now have recurring stump neuroma in right foot and am having alcohol injections.(not finished yet). I have extreme numbness in all toes, both feet and am in constant pain. Guess I will just have to live with the pain. I can't going walking with my daughter anymore and I have a time keeping up with my 2 grandsons who I keep 4 days a week. I am with the lady who felt like it would be better just to remove the whole foot and get artificial ones
Just thought I would update everyone a year later on how I'm doing. I wrote the above post a year ago. I am 100% pain free. I claim total success from the injections. I would never recommend surgery as he first option if the injections are an option for you.
Hi Terri59 I am on my 3rd alcohol injection and it is a series of 7. The doctor said after the fourth injection I would start feeling better. What doctor Orthopedic Surgeon said the alcohol injections don't work? I know that cortisone is bad but I really want to speak to this doctor. Please let me know. thanks
I had the injections on both feet with no relief . What I do have is nerve pain that is akin to neuropathy with a "sock" of red irritated skin and a rash that looks like blisters. I am in constant pain with numbing and tingling and sleeping at night is the worst. I've seen several Dr.'s and they can't give me a solution to the problem. All I know is my feet and legs will never be the same. Think twice before you consider this option.
In regard to the last "post". I had alcohol injections.
I received two shots in the same foot, first out of 7. My foot seem to be swollen, and I think I feel more tingling in my third toe than before. Also, the second day after the shots I started to feel excessive each in the area of the injection. Did anyone experience the each??
After reading all of these posts, I am trying to decide to go for e second shot or not?
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
HI.. I am on my third day post ethanol injection: I have NEVER had so much pain from any procedure in my life: broken bones, gallbladder surgery, c section are not like this. I woke up around 4am after the injection .. it felt like a house was crushing my foot: much codeine later it was manageable.. the next day no better: swelling on ball of foot and some pinkness on top: toes splayed with swelling between them: every step is agony: this was ultrasound guided injection.. so either I don't react well or the medical journals dont report the bad responses: on contacting the clinic, the nurse says many people are suffering like this.. which begs the question why are so many people being referred for ethanol ablation if the outcome is not much different in terms of pain and disability than surgery?Taking 4 rounds of this .. at 4 days off work and significant pain each time doesn't seem a good option..
I have searched and searched the internet but there is nothing much about this procedure (except how good it is!) so I am really curious to know if this is just me or has happenned to others.