Hello all. I apologize in advance for the extremely long post. I posted about 4 years ago when I had my excision surgery in June 2012 (Right foot, 2-3 and 3-4). I'd like to share my story.
Following my surgery, I had pain and the feeling that I was stepping on a rock for months. I showered with a thick towel under my foot to be comfortable. I never put my foot down anywhere without a shoe on it. Most nights I slept with a surgical shoe on. My foot surgeon said that everything was normal, but I could seek physical therapy if I wanted to. 2-3 months post op I started PT because I was still in pain at the incision site, was limping, and still had that rock feeling. To this day I can't figure out if the physical therapy was successful or if the time healing after the surgery helped the symptoms to go away, or a bit of both. Long story short, I did not feel fully recovered from the surgery for about 18 months. That being said, I am in my mid 20s. I'm not extremely active, but I believe my body should have recovered faster than that for my age. My surgeon was extremely experienced and has since retired. Before he did, I was diagnosed with more neuromas 2-3 and 3-4 in the left and 4-5 in the right. My surgeon said he had only seen a 4-5 neuroma a total of 3 times in his career. I believe that my neuroma pain originated from that location in the first place. I wish I had had an MRI before I had surgery so there was a better idea of what was there then vs. now.
Since the surgery, I have received cortizone injections several times. (Personally, the alcohol injections never did any good. I think they actually caused me more pain). The pain/symptoms have never gotten as bad as the right foot did pre-surgery. I don't have injections very frequently but my pain is localized to the foot only. My right foot used to cause pain all the way to my hip on a daily basis. Along with injections, I also completely changed my footwear. I now go to a show store specifically for people with foot problems. Every pair of shoes I own has custom inserts, padding, etc. I attribute having less symptoms in my left foot to both the injections and the footwear.
Though I still experience pain and different forms of discomfort on a daily basis, I would DEFINITELY have the surgery again. The recovery process was very very long for me, but where I am now is a lot better than where I was 4 years ago. I am still in the debate process for having another surgery, which would unfortunately need to happen on both feet. I keep thinking the pain will get worse and will be in my whole leg again, but that has not happened so far. If and when that happens again, I know surgery will be inevitable. Thank you for reading. The MN community is so small and I am grateful this page exists.
Agree with you 100% on the surgeon making a huge difference!
It was a 30mmx10mm neuroma so pretty big but I am counting on a full recovery and getting back to exercise after a good 10-12 weeks of taking special care.
I am 8 days post surgery and all good so far with mild bruising and no pain but I am on strict couch rest with foot elevated most of the time.... it seems that many people heve this surgery done by well meaning podiatrists and in doctors rooms but I was referred to a ankle and foot specialist and very fortunate to have private medial aid. His success rate is 100% so far and although it was day surgery I spent the night in hospital well looked after.
Keeping the foot elevate for 10-14 days is the surgeons advice for a successful op so am trying to be a good patient!
Good luck all.
My MN was big..almost 2 inches long.
My toes and the ball under my foot very stiff.
Still swollen.