Recovery after surgery for Morton's Neuroma

I apologize for my spelling its late but anyway if you have any updated information that would be great. I sure hope you are doing better.

I am 11 weeks post-op now for the M.N. excision between 2nd & 3rd right toes.  Bought new sneakers for $135 and just ordered new Birkenstock sandals for $80.  My 2nd toe still bugs me, and I get shooting nerve pain in the toe sometimes that is very annoying.  If I sit and lightly bounce my bare foot on the carpet, I feel shocks from the middle of the bottom of the foot up into the toe.  Walking barefoot on a hard floor is no better now than it was pre-op.  I constantly change from sneakers (3 diff pairs) to sandals (3 diff pairs) to chunky FitFlops, bought pricey specially woven socks and more moleskin and bunion pads.  You name it, I have it.  I was told by the ortho surgeon I would be on crutches three weeks and my two toes would be numb.  The toes are not numb...I feel a lot of strange sensations and occasional pain.  I am waiting for my 6 months to be up so I will have a miraculous recovery!! (I have a bad feeling about this!)

shellie wrote:

Guest wrote:

I can empathize with each of you with your feelings, experiences dealing with the traumas post op for the failure of reflief of Mortan's Neuromas. I am almost four months out from a surgery on both feet for Neuromas and a fascia release. I now experience shooting pains in my toes, rather like an electrical shock being administered, to toes not even near the surgical sight. I have a limp even though I wear the orthotics in my shoes. I was told by the Podiatrist that it would take up to 6 months for these symptoms to ease up. Prior to surgery, I was told two-three months to heal.
I fear that I am ruined from taking part in my usual, normal activities: walking my dog, caring for my yard & home, taking any trips and yes, even returning to my enjoyment of dancing. I have been in pain for over a year prior to surgery; thought surgery was the correct cure.
I should have looked into finding an expert in Orthopedics at a teaching hospital instead of a Podiatrist. I hope some of you did go to a reputable Orthopedic Center for your problems, but, I bet you also went to a Podiatrist. I've heard horror stories from other patients locally (fifty mile radius) who made a similar choice for their surgery. They, too, are handicapped now. There are a few good surgeons out there, but they are of the minority.
I, too, just want to be free of pain and to resume my once very active, fun life. How I wish I had never opted for surgery. I'm now in a heavy, 22 inch boot that keeps my foot from flexing (ordered by an Orthopedic specialist for foot problems). It is killing my back to even lift the ten pound boot to walk. Yes, the swelling is down but my foot still hurts at the site of surgery and in my toes. Anybody else given this torture device post-op?
I have no positive answers for any of you; I am sorry! I am a Nurse and am so disappointed and yes, angry, that I was not given an expert diagnosis and end up with such a negative surgery result. I still feel like I'm walking on a hard rock at the surgery site; I know I will have to have it redone. Sad commentary on the Medical Community, isn't it?
Let me know if any of you ladies finally have relief from your surgery; there must be hope for all of us who have suffered unnecessarily at the hands of these inept surgeons. I will pray for each of you to recover.
All the Best,
Pam

wow pam I havent had surgery yet and I am very worried after reading all these postings. Next week is my first appointment for exrays and yes i Im on the waiting list for the nursing blocks. Are you better now?

I had surgery on both feet for neuromas between the third and fourth toes over 25 years ago. It took a while for the scars to dissolve but the surgery was a total success. I recently had neuromas removed on both feet between the second and third toes. These are healing a little slower but I feel sure that this surgery will be a success as well. Recovery is slow because the scar tissue must be absorbed before all pain/discomfort disappears. I use aole lotion on my feet at present but there are also vitamin solutions that aid in scar healing. Be patient, treat your feet kindly and you will be surprised at the good results. I had the same podiatrist for both times and as he laughs with me , we are both 25 years older.

An update. Had the surgery 5/2/12 and it is now 5/28/12 aka about 3 weeks 5 days later.

Swelling has reduced a lot but still cannot fit the foot in a shoe. Walking is still especially difficult barefoot as all I feel is a painful lumpyness in the ball of the foot area. Walking in the surgical shoe still limping and long duration painful and more swelling after.

Toes able to move more but still fairly stiff. I get a weird sensation like thread is wound around the toes and moves over/into them if I touch the ball of my foot. Also scar tissue pulling from inside with certain movements.

Here are some pictures of the incision now that the steri strips came off in the shower and it looks like the dissolvable sutures absorbed. (Might be gross for some fair warning.)

 ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** explicit and graphic content*** 

http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/vicious-valentine/1incision3weeks5days-1.jpg

http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv264/vicious-valentine/incisionat3weeks5days.jpg

Pookah, your description was exactly like what happened with me. I can tell you it's going to be a while!

Was your incision completely closed by nearly 4 weeks? Mine is still a bit open looking (I posted pics but I see there is a graphic warning, lol I didn't think it was that bad. O_O )

Pookah. I also had the surgery on May 2 and my incision is totally healed. I can walk easily barefooted with little to no discomfort. The only shoe problem I have is rubbing on the top of my toes causing blisters which have already healed. I can walk very comfortably in soft shoes. The scar tissue is not much of a problem although it sometimes feels as though I have a very small pebble in my shoe. I use aloe lotion on the afflicted toes and think it helps. Had surgery on both feet by the same podiatrist that removed my other neuromas 25 years ago. Never had any problem then and appear to be headed in that same direction again. Gotta love mt podiatrist. BTW. I am 73 years old!

4 weeks 1 day post op. Doc is keeping me out of work for another 2-3 weeks. Its been 4 already and 6 was his projected time anyway. He did say I might need physical therapy though. Said it may still be normal to be having the temperature and discoloration problems for another couple weeks but to watch it. Especially if I suddenly have more pain or something.

Also said there may be a hematoma in surgery site so that may be part of the ball of the foot feeling hard and lumpy to walk on. I gather that I am meant to do more elevating and apparently take more ibuprofen for the swelling. Hopefully going to buy some flip flops that will be comfortable as a sort of midway between the surgical shoe and actual shoe since I can't fit in mine yet.

Wow I just had surgery and am going on 3 weeks, still very painful and can not move my foot very well at all yet, hopeful that nothing went wrong, Doctors says this is normal ,How did you make out with your foot?

You're only 3 wks, Dawna, you have a long way to go. I'm 4 months as of 7/8 upcoming; still with 2nd toe "nerve" pains daily. Last night incisional area pain felt like a little man with an icepick in there. Doc said a few days ago to buy a padded strap to wear that will hold my 2nd toe down b/c it's trying to contract (but my bunion is causing that). I don't think that addresses the nerve pain. I still say I'm no better off that I was before the surgery.

Two and a half weeks post op from neuoma removed from left foot (from top of foot) and doing great! Minimal soreness, no swelling and I am able to wear my Naot sandals! I also do not feel any stiffness and have not lost any flexibility in my foot. Aftee dealing with neuroma pain for over one year with every step, (which limited my physical activities) , I,am glad I researched a reputable Podiatrist to remove the neuroma.

Had surgery 6/12/12. I am only 20 years old. I am horrified by these comments.

I had been having pain in my right foot for 3 years. I saw 4 different foot doctors and had 1 cortizone injection and 6 alcohol sclerosing injections. Finally found the right doctor to give me the surgery to remove 2 neuromas, between spaces 2/3 and 3/4.

Similar to most of you, right now I feel like I'm stepping on a marble. My toes are constantly cramping and feeling a lot of "zings". My middle toe is very sensitive. If the wind from the fan hits it, I get a sharp pain.

Any advice/words of wisdom for me? I am absolutely terrified that I will be in constant pain/discomfort for the rest of my life.

Oh, great, Music, you are only 20 with this MN problem! I am 61. But you aren't even a month post-op yet. For some it takes a year of recovery and some never improve with the nerve pain. There are many websites about this. At one time I could not even tolerate the cuff of my pajamas touching my 2nd toe. Hang in there, but yes it is discouraging. Maybe some custom-made orthotics would help but they cost about $400, I think.

You must be one in a million, Balance, for this rapid recovery. I'm happy for ya!

Two months post surgery and doing well. I still feel the stone in the shoe after being on my feet for an hour or so but I can wear any shoe and walk without pain. My scar is looking good. I have numbness in the toes but it does not bother me since I know from the surgery 25 years ago that it will fade with time. I am not ready for a marathon but back to the treadmill this week. Groan