Recovery after surgery for Morton's Neuroma

I had neuroma foot surgery in January this year.  I pain is significantly less.  I can walk long distances without pain.  Bear footed, I feel as if I have a bruise on the ball of my foot.  This is not the same spot as my original neuroma pain.  This one is tolerable.  I have a visit coming up with my surgeon to see if he has any thoughts on my current discomfort.  If he can identify the source of the pain and says it will not get worst, I will not repeat the surgery, although, the original surgery was not difficult or painful.

I an getting ready for my second morton's neuroma surgery.  My first was uneventful pre and post surgery.  my only issue I did not miss a day of school.  when I stood on my feet most of the day my foot was sore, but I started wearing my walking cast.  My surgeon removes the mortons neuroma from the top of the foot not from the bottom.  I think that is why I have been post surgically relatively pain free.

Before any of your surgeons do surgery ask if they will be entering from the top of the foot.  If not, run, walk of limp out of their office.  also, seek a really good sports medicine doctor, I did and I am so glad I did.  My prior orthopeadist wanted to give me cortosone shot from the bottom of the foot and refused.  When I saw my current doctor I asked him if my shot would be from the bottom of the foot and looked at me like I was nuts.  I told him about what my previous doctor wanted to do and all he said was, " well, we all have our own methods, but this route is less painful and has the possiblity of acheiving the same results."

Dr Carriero you are the BEST

 

 

My next question though is with shoes. One problem with a neuroma is finding the right shoes. But I am also beginning to think the way shoes are made today are helping cause this issue. I never wore shoes that were too tight and never really had an injury. So, I'd like to start a discusion on shoes. I have been testing a lot of shoes (THANK GOD FOR ZAPPOS FREE RETURN POLICY!!!). I have decided that the Nike's I have been wearing are the major source of hte problem. Why? If you look under the insole, there is some spiky type items under the forefoot. I have no idea what they do or why they're there. But, I have found they really irritate my foot badly. I guess I never paid attention to it prior to this foot problem. I think some of hte newer models of Nike (Vomero 6) and others are starting to come out with insoles like Asics that do not have those spikes on them. Also, I have found the Nike+ insert causes a pressure point once the insole starts getting worn down a bit. The bad part, Nike is the only shoe I can wear for some reason. I don't have a wide foot but I've started wearing Nike Size 10 4E width. It gives my toes plenty of room but doesn't provide a lot in the midfoot section. I have tried Asics 4E and they support my midfoot well, but there isn't enough room for my right foot in the toe box (where the neuroma was removed). My poor left foot loves any shoe I put on, but my right foot is very picky. Any advice from what you guys have found? Lastly, I have also found in the Crocs (I love Crocs) those raised parts where your toes fit (I guess they're for grips) also irritate my toes after long wear (if that made sense). Any other information or things you have found?

I have just completed my second MN removal surgery on my right foot. The first one was between 1 and 2(which is an odd place to have one), and this current surgery was between 2 & 3 and 3 & 4. My first one was back in 1988 and I am completely happy with it. My toe was numb for a while ( I did have the shooting phantom pains), but it seems the nerves have networked themselves back because I have been able to feel my toe for years. This second surgery was just over a week ago. My three toes are numb, but that doesn't concern me because of what happened with my first. My one neuroma was easy to find, but the other wasn't in the "pocket" where it was supposed to be. My 45 min surgery turned into 2 hours. This caused extra fluid on the ball of my foot. So now when I walk on it with my surgery boot on, it feels like extra socks are there. I agree that everyone is different. I am walking without crutches, and I went to work 4 days after my surgery walking with the surgical boot and one crutch. I am still working and have to elevate my foot every night and every lunch hour. I still ice and use ibuprofen. But I am completely happy with this surgery. I used to get up every morning and feel like I was walking barefooted on jagged rocks. I don't feel that way now. Even after the surgery, it doesn't hurt to walk. So hang in there, everyone is different, but I am happy with this. Also, on my first time around, I did the orthotics, crutches, casts, cortisone shots between the toes... nothing worked. The surgery was a blessing!!!

my name is Mare and i am going to have the morton's neuroma surgery soon also.  I watched several surgeries on youtube and wondered if everyone could tell me if their surgeon went in thru the top of their foot or the bottom of the foot.

Mare,

 

Unless you have a stump neuroma, a mortons neuroma that grows back, the surgeon goes in through the top.  Less pain and faster recovery time if done this way.  The surgery is quick, about 45 minutes after patient is sedated and prepped.  It actually takes longer to cook dinner than it does to have the surgery.

Usually done under MAC anesthesia, conscious sedation.  Not to worry, most people just knod out after the Versed.

I have had the surgery twice, lucky me, and both times it was a very easy surgery.  First time I was awake and talking to the doctor, I felt and smelled nothing.

If you have a good surgeon he/she will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.  Make sure your surgeon will be going in through the top.

Do not be scared and good luck.

My experience with Morton neuroma is very similar to many of yours. I had surgery two months ago. Traded pain for pain. Still can't walk very well. I have not be able to walk without a limp or play with my kids pain free in more than four years. I have used orthotics for three years. I used to be in great shape, but after a head injury and foot problems I fight to keep my BMI under 30. To make this nightmare worse I have also been diagnosed with both metatarsus adductus (sp) and severe bunions that both need to be corrected. I celebrated by going out and having custom ski boots made by Surefoot in Snowmass Colorado. Good for me. My question is simple: is there a list of activities you can do post surgery? Also , how soon after surgery is it safe to perform all of your normal activities? I just want my life back.

Sketcher shape ups for Men help me neuroma surgery...They only work of course while wearing them...I have trouble walking around barefoot

Dennis-

I was diagnosed with Mortons Neuroma in both feet due to the constant pounding on my feet as I operated a patrol boat, which I had to stand to operste, no chair, just a leaning post, for 12 hours a day for 5 years,  bottom was metal. The waters were extremely rough most of the time.
I started out with all the conventional methods of treatments, i.e. inserts, over a hundred cortisone injections. None even touched the surface. Then experimental surgery, cutting the tendons to release pressure between the toes. Didn't work.
Finally on Dec 14th of 2011, I have 4 neuromas excised. It's been a month and I m in more pain than I was before. My toes are all numb to boot..
Word to the wise..Don't give in to surgery...
I'm now toatlly disabiled, loosing my home, cannot work...
Oh well!

Hi, I'm 17 and I had this surgery 9 months ago. For me, it has worked well, as there is no longer pain where the neuroma was. Sometimes there is a pulling sensation if I stand on something sharp, and my toes are numb above where the incision is, but I am starting to gain feeling again. There are a lot of horror stories on the internet about having surgery, but personally for me it has worked so far.

At first (about 2 months before the operation) I had an injection to try and relieve the pain, as I did not want surgery. However, this made the pain worse, as the doctor accidentally inserted the injection into the actual neuroma. Afterwards, I was on crutches for two weeks because of the pain.

So I decided for the operation. I was put under general anaesthetic, and the operation took about an hour. Afterwards, the scar was stitched up and bandaged, and I wore an operation boot for a while for protection. When I first tried to stand, I could barely walk but with practice you can walk slowly on crutches. The scar at first was a few inches long, but gradually reduces over time, and looks less extreme and red.

For the first few days, you should stay off your feet as much as possible. I had to take about 5 days off school, and even at school it was difficult to get around. If you're worried about gaining weight, once you feel up to it you should try walking around for a few steps (but only if you think you can manage.)

As a woman, I strongly advise against wearing heels until you feel comfortable. Only the other day I tried with heels, and my foot still hurt, so be careful.

If the neuroma is really bothering you, surgery may be the best method. It was for me, but its not the same for everyone. Just don't be scared by the horror stories.

Surgical pain will go slowly, it takes time. 

I had morton's neuroma surgery in 1997. The doctor said I would be able to wear shoes in 3 weeks.....it took me several months. The recovery was a nightmare but it is 95% better. If I walk on a crack the wrong way I will feel pain again, but I couldn't walk at all before. Now my right foot has a neuroma. I have tried cortisone shots but they are not helping. I am seeing a different doctor and he said the first surgery was not done correctly judging from the length of the scare. I am currently thinking about surgery for my right foot. Even though I am dreading the recovery it certainly beats not being able to walk or dance.

Update:  I am feeling great.  I know this sounds crazy - but instead of being very cautious - I did the opposite at week 12 - I lived my life normally.  I have skied seven days (the first two were horribly painful), road my dirt bikes, worked out with a trainer three days a week and actually have been walking stairs and SPRINTING!.   THe most important thing I have done of recent has been to keep the foot stable. That means shoes with hard soles, inserts etc.

Pam - I, too, had neuroma surgery on my right foot in Jan 2011. I was told by my podiarist that I would only have some numbness in my 3rd and 4th toes. To my dismay, my foot only hurt worse each week after the surgery. In July 2011 I went to an ortho foot specialist who said I had metarsalgia in the foot and gave me custom orthotics with a met pad built in. I thought I was getting better, but in October the pain started to get worse again -- it felt like I was stepping on a nail, and the toe next to my big toe felt like a nail was being driven through it as well. I also experienced "shock" feelings like an electrical current, and my foot began to feel hot and cold. At night in bed, my foot throbs and feels twice its size. I was told that metarsalgia surgery could be done in Jan 2012, however, I went to a 2nd ortho specialist last week who said my problems are most likely due to the neuroma surgery and the alcohol injections I had prior to surgery. He said the injections and the surgery probably weaked the ligaments and muscles in the top of my foot, so the ligaments and muscles in the bottom of my foot are pulling my toes to the right which causes the metatarsal heads to press on nerves in the ball of my foot. He said I also have a plantar plate tear. He wants me to have my orthotic metatarsal pad reduced by 50%, gave me some exercises to strengthen the muscles in the top of my foot, and wants to see me in 6 weeks. I really don't want to have another surgery, but if that's what I have to do to get my life back, I'll have to do it. I feel the podiatrist I gave my trust to 18 months ago ruined my life. If anyone is reading this, DON'T LET A PODIATRIST OPERATE ON YOUR FOOT! Go to an orthopedic foot surgeon instead.

Good luck Pam. Just wanted you to know you weren't alone.

Nancy