NOTE: This is a somewhat long, rambling post. I'm writing this to help others who are facing surgery to correct Morton's Neuroma and to describe my recovery process and progress.
I'm now three weeks post-op for surgery to remove a damaged nerve in my foot. I was diagnosed with a condition called "Morton's Neuroma" that wreaked havoc on my mobility for the better part of 2010. The story goes like this...
I'm 35, 6'2", weigh 190lbs, and wear a size 13 (US) shoe. So, yeah, big feet. I've always had a hard time finding shoes that fit well, and usually made the stupid choice of style over comfort. That was never much of a problem...until this year. I work in the fields of science & technology and have had a fairly sedentary desk/office job for more than 10 years, plus I live in St. Louis, where everyone drives everywhere. Two years ago I started frequent domestic & international travel for work. One of the aspects of travel I enjoy most is being on foot much more than at home. Towards the end of 2009 I started noticing some uncomfortable tightness & pain in my right toes, foot & ankle, but just brushed it off as aches & pains associated with getting older & not being in prime physical condition.
This continued through the spring of 2010, with the pain getting worse & becoming more persistent. No longer was it just the occasional "ouch" when walking on an uneven surface - I would wake up feeling like my foot was on fire, and have sharp, shooting pain through my toes & up to my ankle every time I put my foot down. Without realizing it, I started walking on the outer edge of my foot to avoid the pain, which then started causing my ankle to hurt more & swell. Not exactly a good situation.
I finally went to my physician in late spring & was first referred to a podiatrist. He poked & pressed around on my foot & ankle in ways that made me squirm, and not in a good way, so he ordered up some xrays. The first round showed what looked like fractures in a couple of metatarsals (the bones that run from the base of your toes to your midfoot) so he sent me for an MRI. It showed that I had torn tendons on my ankle and stress fractures that had rehealed in my 2nd & 3rd phalanges & metatarsals (toes & foot). He then referred me to an orthopedic surgeon, and that's when things started getting medieval.
The orthopedist reviewed my MRI & did her own xrays, plus talked with me about all the pain I was having. Her diagnosis was that I had a neuroma, or nerve tumor, between my 2nd & 3rd toes caused by the improper healing of the broken metatarsals, as well as poor bone morphology.
Long story short (by this time it was September): the 2nd & 3rd toes on my right foot are more closely aligned than normal. I did something (don't know what, exactly) that caused those bones to fracture. They healed on their own, but not perfectly, and so those crazy cracked bones were grinding on the nerve that runs between them. That damaged nerve was causing the shooting pains, which in turn was causing me to walk in such a way as to avoid the pain, which was tearing tendons in my ankle.
Fun, huh?!
So then, to treatment. Apparently you can't do an xray or MRI & see if you have a damaged nerve, so you literally have to take a shot in the dark - a cortisone shot directly into the nerve. Now listen, I have a very high pain threshold (piercings, tattoos) but that mother HURT! But it worked. My foot was numb, like your mouth feels after getting a shot at the dentist, and for the first time in months it didn't hurt or ache or burn. Success.
I was also sent for physical therapy, which didn't do a damn thing. I got special inserts for my shoes, which helped alleviate a little bit of the pain, but not enough to make a difference in my daily activities. Frustrating & expensive.
On my followup visit with the orthopedist we talked about next steps and because the cortisone shot was so effective, she considered me a good candidate for surgery. As in, surgery to remove the damaged nerve. As in, cut open your foot, hack out the nerve, sew it back up, send you home. This freaked me out a little bit. I wasn't worried about the surgery itself, I was worried about the recovery & long term side effects. My doc talked me through this - because the nerve is removed, I'd be left with a numb spot on the top & bottom of my foot along the incision, plus the inner sides of my 2nd & 3rd toes would be numb. The numbness would not affect balance, and following recovery I'd be able to walk normally & return to activities that I'd given up because of the pain, namely going to the gym & doing yoga.
But, wow, it's irreversible, optional surgery. I mean, it's optional in that I wouldn't die if I didn't have surgery. And you know, once you cut out a nerve it's gone - it can regenerate a little bit, but it's not like it's going to magically grow back & be 100%. So I was facing a difficult decision: have the surgery & be left with a numb spot on my foot, or don't have the surgery & be left with a painful spot on my foot. Plus, I read a few web sites & forums from people who had had the surgery; some with good results, some with bad results. This post in particular & its comments scared the bejesus out of me...so much so that I got a second opinion & had a very lengthy followup with my doc to make sure I was making the right decision.
And so after a lot of consideration, I opted for surgery. And I don't regret it one bit.
The surgery itself was a snap - outpatient, in & out in 7 hours. My partner was traveling for work & couldn't change his schedule, so my best friend Tagert took me to the facility. I was admitted, did the paperwork, assigned a bay & bed, got an IV, met with my surgeon, laughed over the mark she put on my foot, waved to the camera, and then Dr. Feelgood came in to give me meds and it's all a blur after that. I sort of remember being wheeled out of the bay into the OR, and kind of remember cracking some joke as they moved me to the operating table, but seriously, I woke up in recovery & thought I'd just dozed off. I was surprised to see that my foot was all bandaged up & the surgery was over. I had no adverse reactions to the anesthesia, so I had a couple of crackers, a little bit of juice, and was sent home.
And then I spent the next 10 days like this:
Yes, really. Tagert stayed with me that night while my partner was out of town, and two neighbors came over to help get me food & get me situated. I was on heavy narcotics (Norco; LOVELY stuff) every 4 hours, along with a few other meds for inflammation & to prevent blood clots. For the first 3 days my foot was completely numb from the anesthetic block. It felt like concrete - just numb & heavy & useless. I kept my foot elevated - "toes above your nose" - with the help of pillows, and got off the couch as little as possible. When I did get up it was for short periods of time only and I had to use crutches to get around. I have to say, and I know it may sound bad, but honestly it was a really restful experience - wake up, take a pill, watch TV, fall asleep, repeat. My two dogs were with me, one of whom got to spend all her time on the couch next to me. Time had no meaning or importance. As the Italians say, "Dolce far niente" - it is sweet to do nothing.
On my 3rd day after surgery (a Thursday) I returned to work via couch & laptop & wifi. On that Friday I thought I'd be brave and start cutting back on the pain pills. Big mistake. Huge. The pain started edging in & then all of a sudden it was so intense & so present that it made me sick to my stomach. I got right back on the Norco horse & rode it through the weekend. On my 10th day after surgery I went in for a checkup & had my bandages removed & stitches out. That hurt like hell.
As of this writing I'm on my 4th week of recovery. Between that first week & now I've gotten off the pain meds, but am still taking aspirin to reduce the risk of blood clots. I am driving (something I couldn't do while stitches were in) and I've ditched the crutches. I use a cane when I'm outside the house because I still have limited flexibility in my toes & the cane helps me move around with stability. I've returned to work, and all things considered, once again am a productive member of society.
And so what everyone wants to know is: is your foot numb? The answer is yes. I have about a 2" numb spot on my foot that follows the incision, and those inner sides of my 2nd & 3rd toes are numb. I still have normal nerve supply to the other side of each toe, and the doc said that there were small fibrous nerves in the top of each toe remaining, so overall I've only lost a very small portion of feeling in my foot. I'm gaining flexibility and am able to be on my feet for longer periods of time every day.
The other thing people want to know is: would I do it again? The answer is yes, absolutely, because I'm free from pain. For the first time this year I'm able to wake up without feeling like my foot is on fire. I can walk without feeling like I'm stepping on nails every time I put my foot down. I feel like I have my life back, and that is wonderful.
If you have been diagnosed with a neuroma & are considering surgery, please read any & all of the above as the experience of one person. Overall my experience has been good, but I have heard from others who have had less successful procedures. I think for me it was finding the right surgeon & working with her to make sure this was the right procedure for me. I have had the luxury of a healthy stockpile of sick time & vacation days (as well as doing this during the holiday season) which has allowed me to be at work when I'm able to be productive & at home when I'm not. I also think I came into the surgery with realistic expectations of what I'd be able to do during recovery & afterwards, and so while my dreams of being a professional dancer may be over, I'm able to do my actual professional work without pain & suffering.
Last thing: I could not have made it through this recovery time without proper support, both physical & emotional. For physical support of my foot I got a pair of orthopedic Crocs. Now look, I'm not a fan of Crocs. I think they're ugly and I've never understood why people wear them...until I put these on. They are light, they are comfortable, they are quite possibly the smartest purchase I've made in years. This particular line has an extra wide toe box that makes for easy on & off without pain or fuss. If you're going through any kind of foot surgery I highly recommend these. As for emotional support, I've always been an independent person but there's no way I could have gotten through this without the help of my family & friends. You *have* to have someone around in your first week to be your feet & hands - to go get things for you, to run errands, to bring in the mail, that kind of boring, normal stuff - because I'm convinced that my successful recovery is due to taking it completely easy for as long as possible. So to everyone who has helped me, I give a huge THANK YOU!
I wrote this for the sake of sharing information about my experience with Morton's Neuroma surgery & recovery. If you're facing something similar, I hope you find this helpful, and I'll be glad to talk with you or answer any questions you might have.
572 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 572 Newer› Newest»Hello, I am 3 weeks post surgery today for removal of one neuroma per foot. Recovery has been reasonably good in that I didn't have to take the stronger painkillers recommend for more than a few days, kept feet raised at all times (even when sleeping)but higher than my nose was not mentione/recommended. I was given some physio exercise which I did regularly initially but less so as walking became easier. I had two sticks and was heavily bandaged with most of it being under the ball of my foot to help force me to walk on heels I guess. Had bandaging removed 4 days ago and just the knots of stitches removed, rest will dissolve. Wasn't given any advice at all, just that I would be back to normal in a few days but probably can't wear heels for a few months + I go back in 2/3 weeks to be signed off if everything okay.
However, walking felt odd to begin with without the bandages and now I seem to have a slight limp due to my right foot being painful to walk on, not excruitiating but there all the same. I also have a sort of shooting sensation but I wouldnt say it was painful through from ball through middle of ball of foot toward toes.
Scars are a bit sore from time to time but nothing major and seems to be healing well.
I am terrified that the surgery won't work as beforehand I could not walk more than about a mile without being in severe pain even in the most sensible footwear.
Any advice on whether this is too early for me to judge whether it has worked?
What are these shooting sensations?
Anything I could or should be doing to help towards a painfree future?
Many many thanks for any advice offered.
Just wanted to add another positive report. This is Day 11 for me and I got my stitches out today. I had bilateral neuroma surgery on March 6. The pain has been less than I expected. I did take Lortabs for the first five days, then only at night. But it was more to stay ahead of pain because as long as I took them, I really wasn't in pain. I would call it moderate discomfort. But I just recovered from six months of frozen shoulder, which was far more painful. After going through PT for that, I guess I'm a little toughened up.
I stayed totally off my feet the first two days. Started walking around the house more on Day Three. I've been out of the house every day since Day Seven. But just to go out to lunch with friends, have my hair done, etc. I haven't tried to drive or anything. I walk very slowly and carefully. I'm still wearing the boot. Not really putting much weight on the ball of my foot yet, but it doesn't hurt to have it touch the ground. I just put most of my weight on the back of my foot.
It wasn't too bad getting the stitches out. I took a Lortab one hour before. Most of them just pinched. But one had some skin over it and had to be "dug" out with tweezers (like a stubborn splinter). It didn't take long and still wasn't that bad.
However, I must say, when the bandages came off and I saw the incision, I was surprised. To look at it, you'd think it was really painful. But it really hasn't been. Maybe I'm just tougher than I think I am!
I do know that I had an excellent surgeon. Dr. James Yu in Nashville, TN. I have followed instructions to the letter. The nurse took my stitches out today and said my feet look great. She said I can switch into any shoe that is comfortable and doesn't cause pain. I like wearing the boot right now because it communicates that I have just had surgery (and explains why I'm walking so funny). Also, good protection. Tomorrow I will get it wet for the first time. She told me the most important thing now is just to give it time to heal, plenty of rest, not too much walking. But she said my foot will tell me what is enough and when I've been on my feet too much. I've already experienced them communicating "time to sit down" so I knew what she was talking about.
I have had no problems with swelling or anything. No throbbing. I am so glad I did both feet at the same time so I can have this behind me and not have to start all over again. Unlike some of you, I am not eager to try on a pair of heels any time soon. The last thing I would want to do is cause a new neuroma. I will only wear heels on special occasions. I'm going to take very good care of these feet and preserve them!
I'm so glad I found this blog a couple of nights ago. I was wondering if my recovery was typical and I really enjoyed reading everyone else's experiences. I read some scary things before I found this. I don't really consider myself to have a high pain tolerance and I don't think this has been that hard. I expect my results to be great. And I plan to add a blog post to my own blog about this ordeal in the near future.
Thanks to all of you who have shared your experiences. I read every single comment.
It's been almost 2 months since my surgery on 1/19...and I have mostly good news. I really don't think about my foot all the time now. It does not bother me at all walking around or while at work. Walking barefoot is still a little weird. I am running 3-4 days a week, between 2-4 miles at a time. For the most part my foot behaves when I run. There is a little stiffness in my foot, but my DPM assures me it will continue to improve. No "bunched sock" or burning sensation. I am breaking in a new pair of trainers that have a special feature-additional cushioning under the forefoot! The brand is Newton, and they can be ordered from Road Runner's Sports (rrs.com) It is a minimalist shoe, so I have been advised to break them in slowly to avoid injuring my calves and achilles tendons. They got great reviews on the website. A woman with a MN said they were the ONLY shoe that did not aggravate her MN! That sold me! My orthotics slid in easily. I have very high hopes that the surgery and new shoe is going to return me to pain free running! Wearing high heels still remains a challenge, April. Wore heels to a party last night, and today my foot feels a little tender. I am confident I am not going to be in flats for the rest of my life-but it is going to be a little while before I put the pumps back on!
Deb,
Thanks for the update. I'm going to see my Dr. on Friday and it will be the first time since the surgery (he was out of town for over a month). I was never told to massage and keep the scar tissue away. I think the mass in my foot is growing larger and it seems to be more difficult to move those two toes. When I tried massaging before I might have overdone it b/c the nerve hurt so badly for almost a week that I was sure I'd done something bad. I'm thinking that this scar tissue is going to hurt when it breaks up but I'm still waiting on my dr. to tell me what to do. I guess I'll find out of Friday. Thanks for sharing your story.
P.S. At the top of the incision between my toes, there was some oozing last night. It didn't hurt, but definitely looked like a little bit of infection. Has anyone else had this? My foot is always a bit more red than my "normal" foot. I hope these two aren't connected...
Thanks for your story, Chris. I am 1 week post surgery and went looking to see if my recovery was going normally. Your post reassured me. I actually had both feet done at once and had to hobble back and forth to the bathroom this past week. Crutches were not given nor encouraged. That puzzled me a bit as my balance was way off - still isn't great, actually. I am considering a cane but wasn't sure if I was being neurotic or not :)
Thanks again for your encouraging post. I am looking forward to the pain being a distant memory. I'm already sleeping better at night so I think under it all that the surgery was a success.
Take care and enjoy life!
Had to walk down 8 flights of stairs today + 0.5 mile due to dire drill at work and boy do my feet know about it :-(
Also, waiting to hear from my surgeon as to whether what I am experiencing is normal after surgery.
Terrified it hasn't walked as want to be able to walk and dance again!
Ooops, I meant *fire and *worked.
Emily,
Let me know how you make out at the dr on Friday. Good luck.
The weather has been warm in the northeast, so I pulled out my flip flops and my feet feel good in them. Still feel a slight marble though.
Deb
Thanks Michael,
I have been looking for the procedure again and again here in Canada, it seems like they are using it, but mostly for back pain. I have requested an appointmet with one of the specialist and will see if they also work on MN. I in the mean time have been refered to the pain clinic for cortisone injection to control the pain. After talking to their receptionist, I feel a little betrayed, because the waiting list to get your first appt is about 2 years!!!!! I have been suffering for 3 years already and cannot think of waiting any longher. I am so thinking of surgery right now, at least I would know that after the initial few weeks, I will be pain free!!!
I bought a foot massager. Thekind that lays on the floor and I rub the bottom of my foot on it. It has little nobs on it. Ithas worked great. I was 4 weeks out Tuesday and I am already back to working out.
Hi MJ
Kaz here again (not Michael) -
My suggestion would be to get in touch with Joshua Moore in New Jersey - he is one of the authors of the scientific paper published in he States on RFT - he may be able to suggest where you can get RFT - the address given for him is as follows:
Address correspondence to: Joshua L. Moore, DPM, Podiatric Surgical Resident (PGYIII), University Hospital, 150 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07103.
Best of luck
Cheers
Kaz
Looking for help! Had MN surgery on my Right foot in Dec. 2011. Everything seemed to be going fine. Then in January the incision got infected. I was on antibiotics for 20 days. Swelling finally went down and surgeon said I was good to go....except, I had pain in the same area of MN. Surgeon said-"don't worry about that, the nerve is gone". Switched podiatrists and was told the joint on the bottom of my foot near the MN site was inflamed and would eventually settle down. Second issue is the steady pain around the incision site on the top of my foot. Still have slight swelling and pain in forefoot and through the toes. Here I am 4 months later and no improvement. Pain on bottom of foot remains as does the pain in the forefoot. This is not scar tissue as massage or stretching creates more pain days later. Would a stump neuroma create pain in the forefoot? I can't find any info or advice from neuroma surgery with forefoot pain that lasts this long. Podiatrist says may take 6 months, however, I have had NO improvement. Symptoms are exactly the same as 2 months ago. I guess I should feel lucky that they are not worse. Depressing because pain is the same day in and day out.
I am now 3.5 weeks post surgery. Had the stitches out at 2.5 weeks, didn't hurt too much, surprisingly. Mentioned to the Dr. that I have a marble as well as an electrical feeling while trying to put weight on the ball of my foot. He mentioned applying heat to the bottom of my foot for 20 minutes a few times a day, (103 degrees to be exact). Was able to sit in our jacuzzi and use that heat and put my foot close to one of the jets, for the massaging. Seemed to help somewhat, still have the marble, but the electrical sensation has diminished some. Still wearing Crocs or my Dearfoam slippers (when home). Supposed to go back to work in 2.5 weeks, worried because I work on my feet 10 hours a day, four times a week. I hope I will be better by then.
Thank you to everyone who posts, you have all helped me manage during this stressful time.
Had my surgery done 3/26/12 so it's only been 4 days and I go see my doctor on my birthday(4/03)to have the bangages changed and see what he exactly did. I know that waiting for surgery was a scary experience but it was made quite relaxing and the nurses joked around and made me feel good. I went in at 8 a.m and was out of there by 12:30 p.m. I was expecting to have two nerves removed from the 2nd & 3rd and the 3rd & 4th. He removed one huge mass + nerve from what I was told and decompression from the other on the left foot. So far there has been no real pain but then again I am taking Talwin NX every 4 hrs like clock work. I have felt the shocks that some are talking about but right now it's not painful just weird feeling. I also have no plans to even think about putting weight on it for at least 2 weeks. Chris I am very thankful for your blog and responses from so many. Before finding this blog all I read about is the bad and the ugly. I now know how to take care of my foot during the healing process and it's funny cause the theme here seems that the doctors do not really say to much when it comes to recovery. I too went to an Ortho. and as I said in a past post tried injection, ect. I feel very positive with the results and look forward to wearing my heels in the future. Much luck to those recovering and to any future MN surgery candidates who are thinking of getting the surgery.
Had my surgery done 3/26/12 so it's only been 4 days and I go see my doctor on my birthday(4/03)to have the bangages changed and see what he exactly did. I know that waiting for surgery was a scary experience but it was made quite relaxing and the nurses joked around and made me feel good. I went in at 8 a.m and was out of there by 12:30 p.m. I was expecting to have two nerves removed from the 2nd & 3rd and the 3rd & 4th. He removed one huge mass + nerve from what I was told and decompression from the other on the left foot. So far there has been no real pain but then again I am taking Talwin NX every 4 hrs like clock work. I have felt the shocks that some are talking about but right now it's not painful just weird feeling. I also have no plans to even think about putting weight on it for at least 2 weeks. Chris I am very thankful for your blog and responses from so many. Before finding this blog all I read about is the bad and the ugly. I now know how to take care of my foot during the healing process and it's funny cause the theme here seems that the doctors do not really say to much when it comes to recovery. I too went to an Ortho. and as I said in a past post tried injection, ect. I feel very positive with the results and look forward to wearing my heels in the future. Much luck to those recovering and to any future MN surgery candidates who are thinking of getting the surgery.
3 months post op and the doctor gave me the thumbs up today! The povidine iodine solution that I put on twice a day for the past two weeks has helped to clean out and lingering infection. Oddly enough, I squeezed my incision a few days ago and one of the disposable stitches came out - in a mostly dissolved state. I think that was what was keeping my incision from fully healing, and now it is much better. The
Deb - are you out there? I still have the marble feeling but it is getting better. The doctor said to massage it 3x a day with Mederma (reduces scarring, and breaks up internal scar tissue). He said in 3-4 weeks it should be mostly gone. Has your "marble" shrunk?
These days, I live in my Chacos. It felt a little odd to put them on at first. However, I think they have helped to work out some of that scar tissue as the hard soles massage my feet as I walk.
Best of luck to all of you, in whatever stage you are in. The healing process is lengthy, but I'm hopeful that in a few more months I will be better than new!
Thank you so much for taking the time to recount your MN experience. I say this sitting with my foot propped up on two pillows, and only walking for trips to my bathroom. I had surgery on Friday, March 23, and am waiting to get my stitches out tomorrow, April 5th. I had gone through the cortisone shots and had reached the maximum number you can have. Any more causes deterioration of the tissues. I also tried alcohol shots. When my dr proposed this, my first thought was, "Yes--I can do this for my foot!" But it's alcohol injections, similar to the cortisone. I had 4 shots, 2 weeks apart, and the relief was very short-lived. Like Chris, I started walking on the side of my foot to compensate for the pain and started to gets achiness in my calf and noticed that, at times, I was limping, or more like "dragging" my foot. I tried the ice, heat, ice treatment, 15 minutes each. Nada.
The road to surgery was a long one, but one which began to make more sense the more mobility and, yes, quality of life issues, came into play. I had the sick days, the help, and the resolve to become painfree. The surgery itself, as echoed by other posts here, was uneventful, short, painless. I drifted off into a peaceful sleep with a valium-filled IV drip, and when I woke up just as peacefully, it was a done deal. My "Herman Munster" boot got me to the car, back home, and into my bed which has been where I have lived these past two weeks. My foot has been propped up above heart level. My laptop, touchpad, remote, Nook, and TV have been my new BFFs! I am lucky indeed to had my terrific husband and daughter waiting on me, literally hand and foot. Between my husband's flexible schedule and my daughter being able to work at home for 2 days, I have been blessed with "the hands and feet" Chris mentioned in his blog. The doctor said the longer I am off the foot, the better the healing will be. I am so afraid of having limited mobility, I have followed his directions to the tee! Did not need heavy duty painkillers (had me fill an RX for vicodan just in case) but didn't need it. Only took a generic ibuprophen 600mg to prevent clots and help with inflammation. Notice after eating something salty I feel a pressure type of sensation because of the constriction of the bandages. One skeevy thing-no showers or baths--only allowed sponge baths because of high risk of infection. Feels weird not showering every day--kinda makes me appreciate the little things in life we take for granted. No one wants to have to consider the prospect of surgery, but I am glad I did this one. Like Chris said, surgery isn't for everyone. Had one of the alternatives worked, I would not be writing on Chris' blog. But I'm glad he started this, and wish everyone else good luck with whatever choice they make. Looking forward to Stitches Out Day tomorrow; I am going to take the longest shower EVER!!! Will update you guys as to how I do post surgery. Thanks again, Chris, for the positive, straightforward sharing of your experience!
Thanks so much for all the experiences on here! I am 2 weeks post-op and have been pleasantly surprised. First week was a little rough, but once the bandage was changed at day 4, things started to improve. By Day 6 I was riding my bike again, about 30 miles each day with the surgical boot! My doc said I could do anything as long as I had the boot on and was pain free. It was very painful to walk even a block, but riding on mostly flat terrain on my road bike was very pleasant. 2 weeks post op today and she said I could transition out of the boot because things looked very good.. I just have to take it easy, but I can walk mostly pain free for a few blocks. I have a job that requires me on my feet in the public eye, so I'm not planing on working until week 3, but I'm optimistic that will work out. Doc says no running at all until week 4 and then only if I'm totally pain free while walking. Keeping my fingers crossed!
PBJ
This site has been the most informative site on MN that I have seen. Thank you so much Chris for starting it. I have suffered with MN for over ten years. I did the cortisone shots, and orhodics, neither releived the pain. After completing the Boston Marathon in agonyI decided if I wanted to keep racing I would have to give in and get the surgery.
I am 12 days post-op. Unfortunately the surgery ended up being more involved than originally anticipated. I was only going to have a small incision on the top of my foot, but when the Dr. got in there the Neuroma was so large and unusually branched so he had to cut around my fourth toe and underneath, which will make the healing process longer.
I was sent home in a boot and with crutches and have taken Chis's and my Dr.s advice of staying off my foot as much as possible. I keep it elevated when sitting and ice it when it starts to throb. I walk with crutches when doing anything, so I am getting a good upper body work out. I opted not to take any pain meds except for over the counter Motrin, but it does hurt and tingle most of the time. I get my stiches out Friday April 6th 2012, and will follow my next set of instructions that my Dr. gives to me.
I am excited about living a life Neuroma free. I am optimistic and hope to be racing again this summer. My first event is a 50 mile bike ride May 6th.
Thanks Again Chris..this was so helpful!!!
~Stacy
Thank you everyone for this great blog. I am considering surgery in May, but now that I see how long the recovery is, I am consider delaying it until winter. I do road cycling and backpacking and cannot imagine having to give these up for thesummer season. (I live in California and July/August is prime backpacking season.) I also do a lot of walking and climing stairs for work (going to people's homes, so can't just go back to work at a desk). Now I am trying to decide whether to bike and hike in pain one more season or wait until fall. Does anyone know if there are advantages to having the neuroma out earlier rather than later? I have had the neuroma for about 3 years, got much worse when I backpacked 185 miles of the John Muir Trail in 2010. I can still walk without much discomfort, but the biking and hiking are more painful. I am asking my DPM about this, but would love to hearfrom those who have been through this. I am a 55 woman who has never worn a pair of heels in her life and wears Keen's on purpose. Comments anyone?
California Hiker
Hi,all! Almost 3 weeks post-op and doing well. Have been off my foot almost completely. Last Thursday went to dr to get out stitches-not so bad, at all! Top was dry, but a little sore on top so he rewrapped it. The shower I was so looking forward to was delayed another week. I can tell my foot is getting stronger because when I walk to the bathroom, I'm moving a bit better, not that shuffle-thing I was doing a week ago. Like everyone before me has said, time is my best friend. Yes, I'm bored; yes, I'm dying to get out for my power walks. But I'm being patient. My incision is completely flat. Dr said I can go into a regular shoe this Thursday when bandage officially comes off, can drive, and (drumroll, please!) TAKE A SHOWER! Really, really was tempted to cover with a garbage bag, or buy the cast cover bag, but dr was adamant that a little water could potentially lead to infection, undoing what I've done for the past 3 weeks.
My classroom is on the 4th floor--2 flights for every floor. We have an elevator, but can't take a whole class on board. Caf is in the basement so that alone is 20 flights a day. (I take elevator back up and then down to get kids.) Specials are all over the place. Concerned about that part. Dr's giving me a note about that, but work with wonderful teachers and they've already volunteered to get kids where they need to go.
To CALIFORNIA HIKER: Hard to say how long you should wait. I think you need to get hooked up with a good dr and try surgical alternatives. Personally, I didn't have luck with the shots (cortisone and alcohol). What made me come to a decision of surgery was that my quality of life was declining. The constant pain was sidelining me from doing, not only the fun things I like (power walking, kayaking, walking a very strong-willed dog, biking), but my day-to-day activities were affected as well. As a teacher, I am on my feet all day long, and we have cement floors. At night, the pain started to wake me up. My doctor, like a lot of the others mentioned on this blog, made it clear if I wasn't committed to following the off-the-foot deal, I should forget about the surgery. I followed his directions to the tee, and, so far have every reason to believe that surgery was the best treatment for me.
Will post again to update all. I appreciate the candor of other bloggers, take their concerns to hear and mind as my recovery continues. Reading what everyone has written has been helpful in so many ways; I hope my posts and positive experience will do the same for others.
So I had my stitches took out yesterday. It's now been 2 weeks and 2 days since my surgery. I started walking without crutches 2 days ago and find that the bottom of the foot feels sore and bruised but not so bad. I still don't feel comf. going to the store and doing a lot walking although I did go to Wal-mart yesterday after the stitches were removed. I was there for a very short time. I also noticed that the area around scar was a little painful later when I went to bed. It's kinda funny that the first thing I wrote about on here was all about high-heels now that's the furtherest thing that I'm thinking about. Over all it's been a not so bad experience. I did notice that I have all kinds of sensations coming and going which must be normal but my question is how long do I have to put up with the electrical shocks in the foot & toes?
I had bilateral surgery for MN just over a week ago. I actually had 2 neuromas in each foot but the surgeon suggested dealing with just the worst in each foot because he said that doing both would leave me with a totally numb toe and that when the pressure is reduced by removing one neuroma, the second one usually calms down. The surgery was a breeze and the last week I have had very little pain and am only on over-the counter pain relief. Feet up 45 minutes out of every hour.. instruction to walk for 15 minutes out of ever hour. Crutches are less and less necessary. I'm wearing surgical boots on both (heavily bandged) feet so it's hard to tell how swollen I am but my toes don't appear to be swollen or bruised. Dressings come off next Tuesday.. I think I need to just curb my desire to 'get on the move' too quickly... all the advice to 'take it easy', I think, is right. I've waited a long time to have this surgery (years putting it off and then a year of waiting on the NHS) and it's worth giving my feet the time they need to heal. A big thank you to Chris and everyone else who for contributing information and experience. It's great to see a positive site!
Hi
Kaz here - it is 5 weeks since I had radiofrequency thermonuerolysis for the Morton's neuroma in my left foot and for the first time in 3 months, I'm back playing golf and walking the golf course, doing my daily walks and wearing closed shoes in a slightly bigger size. I would recommend trying this treatment before opting for surgery.
Cheers
Hi everyone
I'm in England. I am now four years post op for 2 MN in my left foot.I put up with the pain for about 5 years and then tried the orthotic and steroid injection route, both of which failed. The scars are healed and almost undetectable and I would say I should definitely had it done sooner. I still get occasional discomfort in my foot and the biggest problem is that my foot swells quite a lot if I've been on it all day, so wearing beautiful high heels can be a problem, so I have resigned myself to wearing lower ones. The pain is so bad from MN that I would recommend anyone to have surgery, but be prepared that once healed your foot will not be as it once was; the loss of feeling is very strange and I don't think the swelling will ever stop completely.
Carol from Bayonne here. April 18, 2012. Well, went back to work on Mon Apr 16 (surgery was March 23). Although I've been sitting in class most of the day with my foot propped), I have had quite a bit of swelling by 3 pm. Still wearing the boot. When I arrive at work, I go right to my Room on the 4th floor and stay there all day. If I try to walk without the boot, it is sore and I tend to favor the side of my foot. Dr said to keep the boot on another week. Drive with a hard soled slipped. Just worried about the swelling. As soon as I get home, I prop up my foot and put on an ice bag which is soothing. No pain, thank goodness. Can anyone comment on swelling issues? My poor leg looks like it's a fake one by the end of the day because of the swelling. Going to Dr on Apr 22. Last visit a week ago, he said to expect swelling on and off and my activities are limited. Will let you all know how I make out.
Apr 21 - Was fresking out yesterday. First day I could wear a shoe. Got a pair of Crocs RX and, while NOT pretty, were comfortable. Thought I was doing good. Arrived at school at 7:30 am, and was leaving around 4 pm. Someone asked how I was doing, and I replied, "Great!" Said I was glad to be in my shoes today and pushed my pant leg aside. Was surprised--no, shocked-to see my ankle swelled to twice its size. It looked like a ball on the side of my foot. No pain or fever. Called dr. Said ice 30 on, 30 off, elevate it, back to the 600 mg ibuprofens.
When I woke up, swelling was down. Dr said it was most likely caused by overuse. Easy to make that mistake when you are a teacher! I am supposed to be up on it, but have to watch if it starts to swell. Also recommended compression stockings for help with the swelling instead of NSAIDs.
No longer freaking out--making my action plan! Purchased the compression hose (Jobst brand)and they do help. Since the nerve is gone and I don't feel any pain, set alarm on my watch for every hour so I'm forced to just peek and see how well I'm doing and, if any swelling, it doesn't get out of control. I'm 5'7", weigh 160. Surgery was March 23rd; trying to be patient. Not easy since the weather is so great and I want to do all I did before-right now! BUT I will adjust my sails, set my sights on down the road, and take one step at a time. I can do this!
Chris, I checked your blog responses, and I see that by the 6th week, you were cleared for physical activity and not yet running. That helps me feel like I'm on the right track. And, like you, elevating my foot whenever I can, is one of the best tools toward recovery.
Had bilateral MN surgery on Nov 24, 2011. Male in late thirties. Scared after reading too many blogs prior to surgery. Hired The best surgeon in town (I live in Argentina). Incission from the top. Spent five days with foot hanging. No major issues. Did not need painkillers. Just took antibiotics. for allmof you ou there: yes, I had The marble under my foot. Now almost gone. I started running mid February. Bothered a little. Not anymore. I do have some pain in the scar, which I now started Stretching. BE PATIENT above all. IT DOES improve, but slowly. Your foot will feel weird, but its a good tradeoff. Try to swim (kicking) and walking inside The pool after 15 days. AVOID at all costs sitting in bed browsing The web with you IPad looking for The words mortons neuroma surgery recovery. Rest. Meditate. Watch movies. I worried way too much. I will go rough with shoulder surgery in a month, which recovery time is really bad. Take care all, surgery works (BTW, my surgeon dissaproved any other treatment in my case (my pain was three years old, an orthotics failed).
3 months post surgery and I still feel the marble - errr! Saw the dr today and he thinks it's scar tissue and gave me a cortisone shot to break it up. We'll see, I'm feeling skeptical but hoping for the best. Anybody out there have a similar situation? Thanks. Deb
Deb! Sorry that you are still feeling the marble. I have been massaging my "marble" with Mederma for the past three weeks. My "marble" has significantly shrunk. The area still feels odd and I'm not sure if that's remaining scar tissue or the lack of feeling due to the nerve being cut out. It feels a little odd, but it is not painful. Is yours? I'm going to keep massaging as I think that will be the best thing to do. On the other hand...
JENNIFER WEMSTROM - ARE YOU OUT THERE!!! I want to hear an update on how you are doing? I'm afraid that your absence on the blog means that your nerve pain continues. However, I am hopeful that it is getting better. I am experiencing a similar nerve pain. If something touches the bottom of my foot where the cut nerve is I get a weird, and usually painful sensation. Have you found anything to work? Medicine, time? I have found that certain shoes hurt more than other. I know you are all thinking "duh" but let me say, I am wearing GOOD shoes. Since surgery and in conjucntion with plantar fasciitis in both feet I have invested in Naot, Abeo, and Chaco shoes. They are all ridiculously expensive but work well for my plantar fasciitis - plenty of arch support. However, some of them hit my nerve in the wrong place. Grrrrr... I'm wondering if this nerve will ever settle down. Jennifer - are you there????
Has anyone else experienced and/or overcome the same obstacle?
Hi - Kaz here
Here is the link to my post on my progress from minimally invasive radiofrequency thermoneurolysis treatment - bottom line is that it's working
http://beeblu.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/to-kill-a-nerve-by-any-means-without-support-crew-charley-boorman/
Thx
Oh my gosh Emily you are so sweet to reach out to me!!! This is JENNIFER WEMSTROM :) Yes, I have not posted because I don't want to discourage othe people. But yes, I have been officially diagnosed with a STUMP NEUROMA, and so far noting has helped. I had an ultrasound two weeks ago and they confirmed that at the point where the nerve was cut I have a stump neuroma. But I really didn't need any ultrasound to tell me that because all you have to do is press on the point at the end where the nerve was cut, and I get all sorts of nerve shootting pain. The strange thing is, I get nerve pain in toes above where the neuroma was cut too, so it's almost like I have nerve pain at both ends where it was cut. I have physical therapy twice a week, and they give me Iontophoresis, which is like an electrical charge on the spot, as well as ultrasound. So far it has done nothing.
The only reason why the pain is TOLERABLE is because I don't really feel it when I walk or run. But I feel it when I move it, touch it, and especially when I'm driving which drives me nuts.
I honestly can't figure out which is worse, this or the original neuroma. The original neuroma was certainly more intense, but this is more constant and it bothers me when i move it ever so slightly. So for me personally, I'm not sure I would have the surgery again, I just feel like this foot is permanently damaged.
Because we've been doing the PT for so long, with no results, my doctor has suggested another surgery!!! NO WAY!! But I guess well see how long I can tolerate this. Maybe in a year if it's not any better I might consider it. Here is a web site which show what a stump neuroma is and the second surgery my doctor is suggesting.
http://www.tarsaltunnelcenter.com/assets/recurrent.shtml
Jennifer! I'm so glad you wrote back and I am so sorry to hear that you have a stump neuroma. I can't believe that it happened so fast!!! Grrrrr... I'm sorry to hear that PT hasn't helped either :( Thanks for the website that you shared. I wish ALL doctors would implant the nerve ending into the muscle right away to hopefully prevent the neuroma from returning. I've been reading Kaz's posts and sincerely wish I had heard about the radiofrequency denervation treatment BEFORE surgery. I wonder if it could still be a possibility for you with your stump?
So, I have plantar fasciitis and have tried EVERYTHING over the last year. Just last week I realized that wearing my cowboy boots makes my feet feel better. The plantar fasciitis is slowly beginning to go away (with PT and stretches daily). However, the pointy toes do tend to pitch my nerve that was cut off in the MN surgery. I'm concerned that this pinching will lead me down the path of developing a stump neuroma. At this point, the plantar fasciitis is so bad, that I'm taking that risk, fearfully.
Please keep us posted as to your progress - I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you will find success before you have to consider surgery again. I am surely hoping so!
I haven't posted in a few months due to disgust. Like Dan, I've made virtually no post surgery progress during months #2-4 despite numerous follow-up shots. Aside from the absence of the bunched-up sock feeling, I have about the same level of pain as I do in the other foot that still has a neuroma. Although probably necessary, surgery has ruined my ultra distance cycling season, and I can only hope it's not permanent. Most times walking is fine but after working long days on my feet (especially on a step ladder)I hobble around for days. I'm now told recovery takes 6-9 months so I'm trying to take it easy. I'm also having the radio wave treatments next week. Maybe it will help now that the damaged nerve was removed - it never did before.
Had my surgery 5/2/12 so almost a week ago. Left foot, 2 neuromas (1 incision.) The middle toe is completely numb, the inner sides of the toes next to it are also numb. (The numbness is expected and I know probably permanent.) The numb toe was cool to the touch and slow to refill with blood for a day or so after. I loosened the gauze that was packed around it per a phone call to the doctor.
Bandages have felt a bit tight and are my major source of pain/discomfort. They gave me a percocet before I even left recovery because the foot was bothering me, I now believe it is the bandages. I have not taken any of my prescription bottle of percs since I do not think the pain rates such a strong pill and because after I got home I had breathing difficulty after taking it. Have taken tylenol for headaches more than anything.
I elevated the majority of the first 3 days and if the foot has been up a long time even now bringing it down hurts and throbs into the toes due to blood rushing to the area.
The nurses did not put a surgical shoe on me because "it would not fit over the bandaging." The post-op instructions said to weight bear as tolerated but it is hard to do so in the tight dressing. I have tried it on the heel because the bottom of the forefoot is painful, I have hit it by accident a couple times and its made me jump, but I felt too much discomfort from the pinky toe along the side and a sensation of pulling on the incision. I have been mostly using crutches and hopping.
Under the dressings is kind of itchy now and my toes feel pretty squashed also I have a crease down the pinky toe side of the bottom of the foot due to the squashing of everything. Tomorrow I get the bandages changed, though I don't know if the stitches will come out then or at a later date.
Showering has been fun. :P Initially I sat against the long wall of the tub with my left foot over the edge (wrapped in plastic/rubber bands) and my left side to the spigot. Not too bad because I have a hand held showerhead. My mother found my departed great-grandmother's shower chair though so I have been experimenting with that since. Showering less often due to relative difficulty of doing so and not wanting to chance getting the foot wet somehow.
I am hoping everything looks good tomorrow and that I can get this surgical shoe I keep hearing about, would like to be more mobile. Crutches are really not a great solution for me, my house has many narrow areas making them hard to use.
It's been great reading this blog. I'm so glad I found it, and thanks, Chris, for starting it. I can see how much people's experiences vary, but I wondered if I could get some input. Here's my situation. I have what my podiatrist diagnosed as a neuroma, but it's on the outside of my right foot near the big toe. Does this sound right to anyone? He gave me a cortisone shot, and I got instant relief. Really, instant. One second I had pain, the next I didn't. Weird. But now the pain is returning. He told me when I had the first shot that he could give me another if it came back, but we should also discuss surgery. I've got an appointment with him in about a week, so we'll see. If we decide on surgery, what would you say is a good amount of time to expect to be off work? I have a desk job, and luckily we have a generous benefit package that includes sick time and as well as fully paid short term disability up to 6 months! I want to take as much time as I really need, but not more than that, as I'm sure I'll be bored out of my skull. Of course, it depends on what my doctor will sign off for, but what would you say would have been the optimum amount of time for you to have been off work if you had the choice?
Thanks for listening, and for sharing all of your stories. It's been an amazing resource for me.
-=Mark=-
Chris, First I found your blog extremely helpful. Thank you! I'm having surgery on 5/31, and live alone with noone nearby to help. Will I be able to manage by myself? From the sounds of it, I might be in trouble... This is just the beginning, I have to go for surgery on my spine next... I'm more stressed about being alone than the surgery. I really can't believe the recovery is so long. I hope it goes quicker. Has anyone else done this alone?
Thank you for starting this blog. It has been extremely helpful to read all of your comments. Very reassuring. I am six weeks out from neuroma surgery on my left foot. I too have a lumpy feeling on the bottom of my foot. The foot does not hurt if I walk slowly. What is the best way to deal with the build up of scar tissue causing the lumpy sensation?
Could really use some advice. I've been suffering from my pain for close to 2 years, it came on slowly at first but now that I'm on my feet 52 + hours every week it's really starting to take it's toll on me. I only have about 13 days of sick time saved up after that it's no pay. So my question is should I wait to have the surgery till after I save up more sick time and live with the pain till then or suck it up and just try to deal with the post surgery pain and issues while still trying to do my job? I've tried shots (both kinds) no luck and of course orthotics, and wider shoes, with no luck. What would you all recommend? I'm a retail store manager and move around all day with not much sitting. I just want the everyday pain to go away. Thanks for your help.
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.)
Whole foot.
Side view.
I had my neuroma excision On May 17- today is May 29th and my surgeon removed the stitches and said I can stop wearing the surgical boot as well. I had a fantastic experience and am really quite thrilled with the outcome so far. Doc said he removed 3+cm of nerve and the neuroma itself was "large." He said I will feel so much better now that it is gone and I believe him!
I appreciated all the advice given on this blog and was prepared to lay low for 10+days. However, I felt fine even the day of the surgery (which was at 11am) and ran to Target to get meds as well as my 8-yr-old son's baseball game at 5:30 pm. I didn't drive myself but was able to drive on Day Two because I didn't need any of the Tylenol with codeine I was prescribed. I have taken an advil here and there but in all the pain was never a problem. I bought a cast cover so I could shower after that first post-op appt (for me that was on Day 4). I elevated and iced often but really didn't have to slow down too much. Just did not have much pain. Doc gave me 4 weeks off from work (I am a teacher) and I appreciate that but am guessing I could have been back to work by now.
I did try the cortisone shots last summer- I had two- but they didn't impact the neuroma. After wearing an aircast for 6 weeks following an achilles sprain this fall, I had hoped the neuroma would have calmed down, but resuming running in February brought more pain. By April my foot hurt nearly all the time, though not horribly. My podiatrist recommended the surgery and I have been so happy thus far. The area does feel a bit odd and there is still minor swelling and bruising, which makes it difficult to tie my tennis shoe. I took out the lace for now and will also loosen my Birkenstock sandal straps. So far so good! I only had 4 stitches and it didn't hurt to get them out- just a very slight teeny pinch on the first one and then a moment later he was all done! Feeling so lucky that things are healing so well!
Ali in Minnesota (MN!)
4 weeks post op. 5/31/12
Doctor 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.
Hi All- I am 10 months out from my neuroma surgery - I rarely think about it, went hiking with my kids and family in Costa Rica. I am back to all my activities and more- I can wear heels though I pick clarks now and wear my orthotics most of the times. I am so happy I got it done, but it takes MANY months of healing and you too will stop thinking about it much. Today I even enjoyed walking barefoot at the pool and it just feels a little weird in a small spot, sometimes it even gets a little sore but nothing like pain or the crushed blueberry feeling. Hope people recover as well as I and Chris have! Thanks for all the support and take your time. I was off work 2 months and it took about 4-6 months wear I had felt healed.
First, let me say thank you to Chris for starting this blog and to the countless others who have shared their stories. Trust me, I have read each and every word and I am paying attention!
Can someone please go into some specifics about the 'block' that is administered prior to the procedure? By that I mean, where is it administered, what is it, is it a general anesthesia, does it put you to sleep or just in a twilight state?
One more question..looking back on your experience,.what is the ONE THING you wish you had been told prior to your procedure (either about the surgery itself or the recovery process) or the ONE THING you were not prepared for?
Thank you so much for all your efforts. I am waiting for my husband to return from overseas before having my procedure. I'm a pretty tough ole girl but I've been paying attention and believe y'all when you say that one definitely needs assistance during the first couple of recovery weeks.
Peace and blessings to all,
Kat
@Kat
I believe they do an ankle block or something near to that which is a local anesthetic to the foot area. This can last like 12+ hours. Then its a sedative, in my case propofol/versed. I was out just as if I was under a general.
I've heard of people being awake though. The doctor can tell you what procedure he favors.
The one thing I wish I had known is that plans can change and that other people undergo vastly different recoveries even with the same surgery. Some people say they walked right after surgery, some cannot walk properly 6+ weeks later.
Thank you, Tiffany!
Its been six months and I can finally offer some encouraging news to the other slow healers. About three weeks ago I had Radio Frequency treatment as a last ditch effort to control the pain. It seems to have worked at both the surgical site and on my other foot that still has the neuromas. The doctor was very diligent in finding the trouble spots with the needles(and located a second neuroma in the non-surgery foot. It was well worth the slight discomfort of the 1/2 hour procedure as I can now work on my feet all day with greatly reduced pain. One foot had immediate relief and the other took just over a week. My first experiences with RF a few years ago had mixed results and didn't last so I'll see. I also want to recommend putting inexpensive thin gel inserts under your insoles under the ball of your bad foot. The doctors had never mentioned this but I started recently and think it helps protect the wound and distribute the force. 6/6/12.
Thanks to every one for their great advice. I had my surgery 5 days ago and cannot believe how painful the ball of my foot is. Incision is on top of my foot and is completely manageable. But underneath is still agony (even with strong painkillers)
Heel walking with one crutch seems to be the answer for now.
My question is re Crocs. Happy to give them a try but there are so many to choose from. I'm in Scotland and have no idea what to buy. Any suggestions?
Hi Chris! You are a lifesaver. Totally awesome. I am 13 days post op. I had the stitche removed today. I cannot walk on the ball of my foot yet. Still using the crutches and dark boot to get around. My heel hurts from walking on it. Your blog has kept me informed and entertained. I appreciate your info. It has been more thorough than my doctor's. I guess it is common that the doctors don't tell you much about the recovery. I feel like my doctor wasn't empathetic about what the recovery entails. But, your comments have educated me. I am hoping that you are doing well and that my fellow neuroma friends are hanging in there. What an experience this has been. Can anyone advise how long they were off work for? I am worried that I didn't get enough time off. Only off for 2 more weeks. Thanks so much everyone for your comments!
Robert - thanks for your update! I'm glad to hear that you are finally feeling better. I'm about 7 months out now too! I wear Dansko's every day (for my plantar fasciitis but it also is great for the neuroma surgical site) so I don't have too much pain. There are certain ways I touch my foot, walk, just do the "wrong" thing and I feel the tenderness of the still healing nerve. I'm curious about the Radio Frequency treatment you had. I wish I knew about this before surgery - I think I definitely would have tried it. But since I didn't, if the weird feelings I have don't subside I may consider this method. May I ask if you recommend a certain doctor? I live in Virginia and don't know if this relatively new treatment for the USA has made it down here yet!
July 2, 2012 This blog has been a great comfort to me. Today I am 2 weeks post op. The surgery went well, & I am feeling a little better every day. Stitches came out on the 11th day, & I was on my spinning bike on day 12. I wore the surgical boot & just had my boot on top of the pedal. I did 20 minutes and have progressed to 35. I started weight lifting after the first week, nothing too heavy, but it made me feel good and lifted my spirits. (Btw, no pain at all with my stitch removal, & I had about 20 stitches.)
A great way to keep the foot dry is to use 2 plastic bags. The fist one I put over my foot and secured with a rubber band. The second bag I secured with duct tape to my ankle. Dry as a bone.
I kept my foot elevated for 11 days & iced for the first 4. I had no discoloration in my foot at all, just a little in my toes.
I had tried cortizone shots, which did nothing, & I had the first in a series of 4 alcohol shots, which left me with excrutiating pain; I was unable to walk on my foot at all after that shot, and since I am an aerobic's instructor, that was not good for me.
I still can't put weight on my foot, mostly just the heel. I start PT on Friday & am looking forward to it.
Thanks Chris for starting this wonderful blog. I am optimistic about my recovery thanks to your blog. Linda
July 3,2012
I had MN surgery on my left foot 6/20/2012. I hardly felt anything until about the 4th day. Then I felt pain around the incision site. Not terrible, more annoying. On my 9th day after surgery, I did have quite a few shocks to my foot. Strange but not too painful. I had stitches out today and that pinched a bit but once they were out the pain went away. I can shower tomorrow and wear sturdy tennis shoes. I tried my New Balance shoes on and they felt great. I have felt very little pain after surgery, was up and walking quite a bit by the 4th day. Dr. today told me that is why I had so many shocks that one day. He said, You need to remember you just had surgery, TAKE IT EASY. Yes that is how it was said. A little loud to get the point across I'm guessing. One thing I wish they had offered at the beginning was to get another black shoe for the other foot, when you leave after surgery. I found that I got a sore back and hip from trying to compensate for the height. I just couldn't find a shoe the same height. I went to the dr. and they gave me one and all is good. The cast covers at Walgreens work amazing to keep water out when showering. Good Luck to everyone having the surgery and thanks Chris for starting this blog. This blog was the reason I had surgery, I was too nervous and then I knew it wasn't the end of the world after reading all the comments.
This is to Emily if you are still reading the blog. I had plantar fasciitis for quite a long time. I finally went to the dr. and he told me to get some Haflinger clogs or shoes. Once I started wearing those, it took only about 3 days to almost go back to normal. A few years later, I got it again and checked with the dr. on a normal check up and he said let's make some orthotics for you. There a bit pricey($400 5 years ago) but I wore them two days and felt fine and still have them in my shoes most days. No pain anymore. Good luck with it!
So it's been a little over 3 mths for me now and for about a month I did the PT which helped greatly with the built up scar tissue and they had me do some yoga poses and balance WII games(fun)now that I'm done with that I find for the most part I'm good. Now for my problem, I drove from Ga. to Wi. and since then my ankle has been killing me granted I still walk with a slight limp, still I'm not sure if it was the drive or that I'm walking alot more or I've been using the stairs more often being that I live here now and have no Dr. I'm wondering if anyone experienced pain in the ankle(it also swells up quite often). Just wishing the pain in my ankle would stop!! I've iced it several times and that helps for about a day or two but then comes right back. Any suggestions??
P.S this ankle problem has been happening for the last two weeks.
I'm booked in for surgery in 10 days for a neuroma on my left foot. I've been in pain for 2 years and despite going to the Dr pretty much as soon as the pain started, I was only diagnosed in March this year!
I'm a little apprehensive about the recovery, more to do with the pain than anything else.
I had my pre op assessment last week where they told me that I will be in intense pain after the surgery. They then told me to make sure I have pain killers at home. When I asked what I should get they told me paracetamol!!
So, I'm going to have intense pain but I don't get a prescription.
I am interested to know if this is the experience of anyone else on here from the U.K who has had surgery through the NHS.
Also, there's lots of talk about a surgical shoe, do I get that at he hospital, or do I have to source that myself too ( whilst trying to relax & recover).
On the plus side, I will be recovering with my feet up whilst the Olympics is on, beats travelling to London on the train everyday with the masses .
Rachel
Tomorrow starts 4th week post op. I can't put any weight on the ball of my foot. My toes are stiff, and although the PT has told me to try and pick up a towel with my toes several times a day, it is impossible!
I've been really surprised to read that some folks have been running by week 4. Phew, I just want to walk again. And so many women have put on heels after just a few weeks. I have pain just trying to put on my sneaker.
I guess I'll just have to be patient.
Linda
Chris- thank you for the encouraging and well written blog post. Also thank you to everyone else for your comments. I wanted to add another positive experience. I am 16 days post op for right foot neuroma. I never had enough pain to warrant more than aleve or motrin. I have been more or less compliant with the surgical shoe and I was able to work just fine 1 week after surgery (I am an emergency nurse and run around like crazy for 12 hours at a time). Yes, there were and still are a few odd pains but nothing that I find concerning. Chris is right about massaging the scar area. This alone has vastly improved my experience. I would probably be able to run just fine, but I promised my girlfriend I would not attempt it until officially cleared by my surgeon (she has listened to me complain about my foot for the better part of a year and can stand it no longer). Like many of the other people who have posted comments, I went through all the other options (orthotics, cortisone, alcohol injections) and found them all useless. The surgery was easy, the recovery reasonable and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. To anyone considering the surgery for morton's neuroma I highly recommend it.
Emily, unfortunately the radio frequency treatment's effectiveness has waned and I once again get pain after a long day on my feet. I'm in CT so the referral wouldn't help and think surgery is the only long term solution. I think my mistake was riding 130 miles two months after surgery. Unfortunately I can't have an MRI to investigate the stump area due to a clavicle plate. I will probably have another operation this winter to correct it.
To those who are still new to or about to get surgery for Morton's Neuroma take time to check out these videos I made during recovery. www.youtube.com/user/MsApe420
@April. Thank you for your videos. They were so helpful. I am now almost 6 weeks post surgery. What an experience this has been.
Thank you everyone for your comments. :)
Had my surgery today and the consultant said it went well. Foot feeling like a lump of concrete at the moment.......
Just curious, how many stitches did you get when they went in to remove the neuroma? My doctor has been extremely vague. Said when he used to do the surgery out of his office, the patients used to walk out. Then I read others experiences, and I'm freaking out! Surgery is 1 week away.
Thank you,
Jenn
Hi Jenn, I think my nurse said that she took out 4 stitches. My scar is 1/2 in-3/4 in long. No big deal for me. Surgery was June 20th and I was walking almost normal 3 1/2 weeks later. Some are not so lucky, if you read the posts you will see that some had issues. Good luck with your surgery!
Your welcome, I figure if some others see how recovery is then they won't be so scared. As for my ankle it's a lot better now and I'm guessing because I didn't have to use stairs in the first 3mths my muscles just needed to build up. I do plan on making a new video so as I'm now 4mths out. I see that walking long distance for me still makes my foot sore but I feel it's still healing and it's not so bad. As long as I never have to feel MN again I'll be happy.
www.youtube.com/user/MsApe420
I am less than 48 hours out of having my MN surgery on my right foot. I guess I'm not as pain tolerant as I thought because after the surgery meds wore off, I was in a lot of pain. The doctor prescribed me Tylenol with codeine, and instead of needing it every 4 hours as the bottle instructs, I feel like I need it every 2 hours. What were other people prescribed? Anyone prescribed Tylenol with codeine like me?
Thanks,
Jenn
Oh and one other question, back in late June (about 1 1/2 months before my surgery) I injured my MN foot when this metal plate at the train station fell on it. The injury was no where near MN site as it was on the top of my foot and closer to the big toe. It was severely bruised, swollen, and had a cut on it. I prob should have had it looked at but didnt. I did mention this injury to my doctor twice before the surgery to see if this newer injury would be effected by the MN surgery, and he didn't seem to give it a second thought. By the time it was surgery day, 1 1/2 months later, the injury on the top of my foot was
all better, maybe slightly sore but not much.
Ever since the MN surgery on Wednesday the top of my foot from that other injury in June is killing, its not near my incision at all. It feels like my foot is broken when my Tylenol with codeine is wearing off. Could the MN surgery have aggravated my old injury? Does anyone have pain on the middle top of the foot?
Hi Jenn,
I'm sorry you are having such bad pain. I was prescribed Vicodin and I used it every four hours for 3 days after the surgery even when I didn't have pain. After that, I didn't need anything except for an advil once a day or so. When your doctor heard about your other pain, they should have done an xray to find out if there was something they could fix at the same time as the surgery. I did have pain in the top of mu foot but just around the incision and it wasn't too bad. Good luck to you. If you have any other questions and want to e-mail me directly, my e-mail is janieundis523@gmail.com.
As for me my experience from what I remember you will have some pain on the top of the foot too and also electrical shocks that last for maybe 30 seconds at a time. I was lucky and got some really good pain meds and took them like clock work. Like I said check out my videos on youtube. They go up to 6 weeks post-op.
Oh and as far as you feeling like it's a broken foot is normal. You got a nerve block in your ankle before surgery and you will feel it after it wears off. I think what's happening to you is that the nerves are on over load right now in which is making your old injury hurt.
Thank you SO MUCH Chris Freeland and all of the posters on this blog for sharing your experiences, photos and helpful tips. I have had MN in my right foot between 3rd & 4th metatarsals... for over two years now and the pain is affecting/limiting my life as I avoid yoga and cannot walk my dogs every single morning like I always did due to the pain. I have never had any surgery but have cared for friends after their surgeries so naturally I'm very afraid of it... but everything you've shared here (the good and the bad) is extremely helpful and I am scheduling a consultation this week because I miss my life and the freedom of walking/running around with my Cattle Dog & German Shepherd, hiking, going to yoga class, etc. I'd read the horror stories online but the detail and follow-up reports you've shared here are very helpful and very much appreciated.
Again, thank you very much and God bless all you awesome peeps on the internet!
-Mona
Hi,
I suffered from this condition for the past 3 years. Gp kept saying it was due to the work I was doing and nothing to worry about. Well how wrong was he..
I tried the injections and it it did not work .. well,
i now have a skin pigmentation as a result
Finally I was referred to the hospital where a very good doctor in his branch examined me and decided that I needed the operation, without hesitation i agreed to go ahead with it.
I had the surgery at 0930 Hours on 11th august ,, and not felt any post surgery pain, is that alright? everyone seems to complain about the post surgery pain and swelling. i dont seem to have any of those..
Bsolben,
I took my meds as they told me too, I think that helped with the less pain later. the nerve block they shot me with held for 3-4 days and then it was more annoying pain then anything else. Not too bad at all. I've only had 3-4 shocks since my surgery June 20th. Good luck with your recovery
I was only diagnosed with the neuroma about 4 weeks ago (after 4 weeks of pain). Currently seeing an exercise physiologist, but we both know surgery seems to the be best option - everything doesn't fix the problem. Seeing my doctor next week for the referral to get x-rays etc to prove its actually there and not some psychosomatic disorder. I do hope I have a successful venture into this, I am a gym junkie and haven't run for months. Never thought I would miss running. Please tell me you can run???
Thanks everyone for your comments. It's now day day 3 post op and I've tried to put some pressure on my heel with the surgicial shoe and it's too painful. When were any of you putting any pressure on your foot post surgery?
Also, I may go back to the dr next week for him to re wrap my foot. The bandages seem so tight and the middle of my foot and side of my foot tends to throb and it's no where near the incision site. I feel like my foot wasn't completely healed from my recent injury and the surgery aggravated it. I maybe should of waited but dr didn't seem concerned when I showed him....
Jenn
Hi Chris, I am so sorry that I did not find your blog before I had the op! I had the op 8 days ago but was told nothing about keeping still with my foot Up. I have not been using my crutches much and have been hobbling on the heel of my foot, I do hope that this is not going to cause the recovery period to be delayed! I see the dr on Thursday for the removal of the stitches so hold thumbs.
So glad you started the blog - so enlightening.
Glad that you have recovered and are doing well.
Regards
Margie
I had a neuroma removed from each foot 14 years ago at age 26. In the last few years that same pain had come back and I was sure it was a another neuroma. Both feet seemed to give me trouble but I paid a lot of attention to the pain and decided the right foot was deinetly worse than the left. Having met my health insurance deductible this year I decided to head back to my orthopedic surgeon for a chat. He thought my pain was more from the bone in my second toe taking more than it's share of the weight due to a bunionectomy 19 years ago. He suggested shortening the toe and aligning the bones up correctly. He said he would also look for a neuroma while in there.
So 17 days ago I went under the knife. There was indeed a neuroma(between different toes than the last time). I just knew it!!
Today I got my stitches out and feel great. Having had this surgery before I knew the end result would be worth it. Living with a neuroma is so not worth it!
I used a kneeling scooter for getting around and prior to last Saturday I would have said it was the greatets thing ever. Last Saturday I found myself flying down a hill and unable to stop. I was dragging my good foot but still going WAY to fast. I tapped the brakes and went over the handlebars. (I am sure this looked hilarious!) Wouldn't you know the one thing I really hurt was my "good" foot! I tore the ligaments. It has been way more painful than my right foot. I have actually been putting the weight on my right foot due to this injury.
Accident aside, I am so glad I had the surgery. I am 40 and too young to live with neuroma pain.
Happy Healing to the rest of you.
You can loosen your bandage but as far as putting weight down on your foot just give it time I think I waited for a month or two. Just check out some of my videos I posted on youtube about the first 6 weeks after surgery. www.youtube.com/user/MsApe420
Hi All
I have been reading some of the comments and felt the need to add some of my own. I had my first MN operation in about 1986. I had been suffering from increasing levels of pain for about 5 years but never bothered to find out what it was. It was finally so bad that I had it diagnosed and operatied on within a week. On that occaion the surgeon went in through the bottom of my foot and removed a neuroma the size and shape of a large cashew nut! I was out of hospital the same day & back at work (I was an exploration geologist) in the field the next day - on crutches. I then flew back to town and spent a week at the desk. At the time I was young (25yrs) and very fit. I don't recall how much pain I was actually in but certainly didn't mollycoddle myself! About 20 years later I was suffering from similar symptoms - at least I recognised it straight away as being MN. I seriously couldn't even remember which foot I originally had operated on until I found some old photos of me on crutches! I went to a local surgeon who performed the operation from the top of my foot. OMG! I know I was 20 years older, in a desk job, not fit & about 25kg heavier, but the pain was indescribable. I took a week off work, did the couch thing, used crutches etc. and at work had my foot elevated under my desk for a week. I still couldn't stand sitting at the desk for a full day after 2 weeks. About 4 months later I was feeling pain free & decided to head back to the Gym to start getting back into shape. The pain in my foot was so bad that I only lasted a week & had to quit again. I saw a podiatrist (not thinking that it had anything to do with my MN), & she said that I should stop the workouts until the pain was completely gone. She told me that if I still had pain in another 6 months that I should come back & see her then! I am now working back in mining & I wear steel-cap work boots with very wide toe area so don't have to worry about wearing fashionable court shoes or sandals any more. I didn't have any pain for several years but I am recently getting a rather nasty MN type pain in my right foot but can't really pinpoint if there is a pattern to it - I hope it hasn't come back, but then I can't remember which foot was operated on or when. If it has I will definitely be getting surgery again but NOT THROUGH THE TOP OF THE FOOT!
First, thanks Chris for sharing your story. I became extremely obsessive with googling information about morton's neuroma surgery, and the comments on other blogs scared the crap out of me.
My neuromas (two in left foot) developed from having flat feet and wearing high heels. I went to a few different podiatrists and went through several cortisone injections, acupunture, alcohol injections in one neuroma, and orthotics. NONE OF THIS HELPED and I developed severe joint pain at the base of my second toe. The podiatrists did not take my pain seriously. So I then got an MRI and took my results to an orthopedic surgeon (foot and ankle specialist). She wanted me to go back to square one by wearing stiff shoes (Dansko), splinting my toes to take pressure off the ball of my foot, and using metatarsal pads. The pads helped a tiny bit but the pain was getting progressively worse, especially the second toe joint pain. We decided on surgery.
I am 2 weeks post op, and my foot is doing pretty good. When I woke up after the surgery, I felt good. My dr told me that the neuroma between my 3rd and 4th toe was pretty small (probably due to alcohol injections) and there was scar tissue (caused by alcohol injections) that she removed. The neuroma between my 2nd and 3rd toe was the biggest that she had ever seen. She said that she is pretty sure that this neuroma was causing the pain in my second toe joint. I had a few crackers and some 7up and then my boyfriend took me home. The anesthesiologist had given me a nerve block during the surgery and because of this, I could not feel my foot at all. It felt like concrete. My dr wanted me to stay ahead of the pain, so I took Hydrocodone as soon as I got home, after eating some soup. The nerve block began to wear off about 14 hours after the surgery. I wasn't in pain at this time because of the meds but I was able to move my big toe and second toe a little. I took my pain meds every 4-5 hours for the first week, and made sure I had crackers with every dose.
During the first week, I kept my foot elevated at all times. I only felt pain when I had to get up to go to the bathroom (using crutches), and all of the blood would rush down to my foot. That hurt like hell at the incision site between the 3rd and 4th toe. It felt like the incision was bursting open.
During the second week, the pain then moved to the incision site between the 2nd and 3rd toe whenever I got up. It hurt like hell again for about 2 minutes each time, when walking to the kitchen or bathroom. I was able to get around the house without the crutches, and was walking on my heel while wearing the post op shoe.
I had my stitches out today (day 14), and it didn't hurt at all. I took pain meds beforehand, but I really dont think I needed to. My dr said that I am healing well, and my foot is not too swollen. My foot actually looks better than I thought it would. Just to be on the safe side, I am taking an additional 2 weeks off of work. My Dr said that I can start wearing a stiff soled orthopedic shoe (Dansko) whenever it feels comfortable, but for now I am sticking to the post op shoe. She does not want me wearing Crocs. She told me to ice with an ice pack during the day and night, and to start massaging the incisions when they heal a little more. She also wants me to wear a compression sock when I start walking more or go back to work, in order to help decrease the swelling.
I think its best to be on the safe side the first 2 weeks and just keep your foot elevated as much as possible, even while sleeping.
Good luck to everyone who has had the surgery or is thinking about it! It took me a LONG time to decide on getting the surgery and I am very happy that I did...so far. I am going to continue walking on my heel until I naturally begin to feel okay walking on the ball of my foot.
Thanks, J
Hello All! I have been reading this post and feel like I "know" you and am so thankful to Chris for creating this. I don't want to be one of the "downers" on here, but I had my 2nd surgery yesterday due to a stump MN from the 1st surgery. I am trying so hard to keep positive, as I was from all the positive posts on here with my 1st surgery. I had issues between my 5th and 4th toe for a while, did not respond to all of the shots and after a 2nd opinion, surgery was my best option. I went back to work on day 3 and have a 10hour shift myself. Couldn't work past 8, foot just couldn't handle more than that. This time, I am taking leave to make sure I take time to heal. The stump MN removed yesterday was also behind a bone, making it worse. I have had no pain relief at all and am struggling to get a different kind of pain medicine from him. I am so happy for all on here that have had a good recovery and sooo wanted to be one of y'all. Let me know what meds you took, please. I need some relief and I am going on 4 weeks now after the original surgery. Thank you again, this has helped me more than you know!! ~ Rachel
Hello, I got new meds and doing much better now. I read on here and see just how different we all are and our Doctors too! Mine hasn't mention anything about PT after. Nothing about scar tissue and massages. I am however an "exception" and less than 2% of his patients have had any issues with pain after surgery, let alone getting the stump. I will get the crocks (never thought I would own those) and am taking it very very easy right now. Hope this turns out as well as he has expected from me the entire time. I had pain between my 4th and 5th toe, then found out I have 2 MN...2nd being between my 3rd and 4th toe. I am optimistic that this will all get better and I will be pain free!
Hi everyone I am so glad to find this site. I had surgery the 30th of August went home the same day the srugery was 45 minutes. Dr told me i can walk right after surgery yeah right. Went home and I start having really really bad pain like something its squizing the leg and stucking pins on it i couldnt put my foot down at all or to even touch a blanket will hurt , then went back to the dr after three days of surgery he gave me three shoots two to block the pain and one steroid in top where he did the srugery of mortons witch he said was really big,,,,,next day the shoots helps a tiny bit I could put the foot down with the help of the crutches but still havin really bad pain still taking the pain killers every three to four hrs.The pain is the wors at night trying to stay postive and hoping this pain and i can walk soon I hope all this pain goes a way soon for everyone in here. Wed I go to take of my stiches and i will post more how it goes. Thank you so much everyone and Chris for this website
Hi everyone I am so glad to find this site. I had surgery the 30th of August went home the same day the srugery was 45 minutes. Dr told me i can walk right after surgery yeah right. Went home and I start having really really bad pain like something its squizing the leg and stucking pins on it i couldnt put my foot down at all or to even touch a blanket will hurt , then went back to the dr after three days of surgery he gave me three shoots two to block the pain and one steroid in top where he did the srugery of mortons witch he said was really big,,,,,next day the shoots helps a tiny bit I could put the foot down with the help of the crutches but still havin really bad pain still taking the pain killers every three to four hrs.The pain is the wors at night trying to stay postive and hoping this pain and i can walk soon I hope all this pain goes a way soon for everyone in here. Wed I go to take of my stiches and i will post more how it goes. Thank you so much everyone and Chris for this website
Thank you for a great blog that was very helpful to me in preparing for both the 'before' and the 'after'.I had MN removed from both feet at once and am now 17 days post op.My doc said that they were the largest neuroma that he had ever seen - the width of a finger! I can now walk (hobble) without crutches or walker, although I still find standing for more than a few minutes difficult and it makes my feet swell. I still have the lumpy feeling in one foot, but from reading here it sounds like that will go away with time.
Hi all ive really enjoyed reading your comments. its clear every case is different but there are some similarities. so im on day 6 after the op and ive got two crutches. im on my own in the day and make my own lunch and cups of tea and im lucky to be in a ground floor flat. However im already going crazy watching daytime tv and reading trashy magazines. I just want to go for a walk its so frustrating! I will stay off work for two weeks based on your advice and work from home if i have too. I couldnt take the codeine it sent me weird, so ibuprofen and paracetamol is enough but ive had headaches and neede to take laxatives because of the effects of the painkillers. I used to run but have got into cycling because i couldnt run more than a mile from the pain. How soon can i cycle again, any advice?
Chris: Just a shout-out to say thanks for the blog about your surgery. After having the shots (cortisone and alcohol), orthotics, reflexology, accupuncture, and radio-frequency ablation, I had the surgery a few days ago, so I'm foot-up, medicated, and remaining patient and optimistic about recovering and getting my life back.
Fred
My friend had this surgery, 6 wks ago, today. She is still having issues. Is there something wrong because she still isn't driving or wearing a regular shoe? She is getting really frustrated because she wasn't told it would take this long to get back to "normal." Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Michael/Palm Desert,
I am a 55 yr.old female runner, considering whether or not to have surgery. Are you back to running? (I can't tell what year you had your surgery). If so, how long did it take for you to get back to your mileage?
My big fear is having the surgery and not being able to continue running.
Susan
I am a 41 year old female runner and I, like you, was concerned about surgery affecting my running so I put it off.
The problem with that was I got to the point where I couldn't run at all because of the pain! I decided to go for it and had surgery on 18th July this year.
I went for a 2 mile run 3 weeks after my surgery and have been running 3 times a week since. I only do between 2 & 4 miles a time but I have no pain or discomfort at all.
When I finish a run my foot is slightly swollen and bruising comes out but it is not painful & subsides quite quickly.
Anonymous,
With regards to your OH's shoes not fitting, it can take anything up to 2 years for all of the swelling to go down & sometimes it doesn't go away completely as the swelling gets 'scarred in' .
You have to bear in mind that the body swells to protect itself and allow healing. Taking the pressure we put on our feet and gravity into account, it's no surprise that it can take this long to heal.
My surgery went very well, I didn't need any pain killers post op and I would do it again in a flash.
Happy running.........
AWWW!! So glad to have come across your blog! I researched prior to surgery and was a little skeptical as to the necessity of having it. I had my surgery Friday @ 8am, out and home by noontime. It's Tuesday night and I'm hoping that I'll be able to remain quite & patient for the next couple weeks. I have the boot, crutches and some pain meds. I find that having my foot up is key. I'm just wondering when... oh when...will the throbbing stop? I feel like I want to pull off my bandages! Any thoughts from post surgery patients would help me. Thanks Chris for posting your experience. It help (and continues to help) me!
Has anyone had a drain as well for the removal of the MN?
It has been only five hours since surgery and my foot is burning stinging even thought I took the pain pills. No ankle block oh how I wish. I had that for the bunion surgery that created the MN.
My name is Kathy. It's been 4 weeks since my surgery. I have been doctoring for 2 years for Morton's Neuroma. In that time I've had 5 cortisone shots, a series of 6 alcohol injections, custom orthodics, boot for 6 weeks and 2 cryo surgeries. My doctor finally said that there was nothing else he could do. He said the nerve was actually wrapped around the bursa and every step I took was pulling on the nerve. He had to remove it all as one, it was so entwined. I stayed in bed, expect to go to the bathroom for the first week. Used crutches to get to the bathroom. Week 2, I fianlly braved the stairs and sat in my recliner, continuing to ice and elevate. Day 14 the st, and itches came out, didn't even feel it and now for the past 2 weeks have been back in the big boot. The doctor told me not to stress myself about getting in to a shoe, but if I felt comfortable trying one in about 2 weeks to go for it. I am very nervous to try to get my foot into a shoe. It still is pretty sensitive and I can't stand with any weight on it yet at all. I am able to put some weight on my heel finally. I can only move my big toe, but that's how it was before the surgery. I no longer have to wrap it in the ace bandage, just have heavy padded socks I'm using and that's going really well. I've walked with pain in my foot for so long, it's going to take a lot of convincing myself to believe it won't hurt when I finally get up the nerve to try a shoe. My doctor has recommended Asic sneakers because they have a wide toe box. I'm so glad to have found this blog. It helped me so much, now and before I had the surgery.
Hi - Has anyone had NM surgery on both feet at the same time? Just curious. My doctor said it can be done provided you have someone to be with you 24/7 after the surgery. I would like to get both surgeries over at the same time but I am wondering if this might be crazy.
What causes this? i was exposed to high dose of 24D mixed with round up and now i have this
Is anyone else exposed to chemical lawn care pesticides herbicides synthetic fertilizers?
Hi--this blog has been a big help--thanks Chris! I was wondering if anyone has had an experience similar to mine. Nearly 4 weeks ago, I had two MN's removed from my right foot, right next to each other, by my podiatrist. This was after a year of steroid and alcohol shots which provided little relief. The doctor said both neuromas were quite large, and they weren't located in the normal spot (between your toes), like they normally are. He said he usually makes a "Y" incision and the neuroma is right there. With me, the neuromas were both located under the bones in my toes, so he had to apparently dig around a little bit to get to them to remove them. I never used crutches afterwards, but I was laid up for 48 hours with very limited movement (only to bathroom and back), plus ice and pain meds. The pain from the surgery wasn't that bad, but what is bothering me is the ball of my foot. It still is painful, my 3rd toe is completely numb, my 2nd and 3rd toes are still swollen, and I'm having weird nerve sensations both above and below my 2nd toe. I can't walk barefooted anywhere--the pain gets much worse that way. I have to always use a boot or a wide-toed sandal. We are leaving for a cruise in a month, and I'm really getting concerned that this is going to be causing me problems at that point and make the cruise unbearable. I noticed several people making comments about massaging their feet--my doc hasn't said anything about that, but I tried doing that about 2 weeks post-op and it really caused a lot of pain, so I'm hesitant to try that again. I guess I'm looking for reassurance that this will *maybe* get better at some point. Right now, the ball of my foot is causing almost as much pain as the neuromas themselves, when I'm walking barefoot-and I like to walk barefoot around the house most of the time (and intend to TRY and walk barefoot on a beach during our cruise). Thanks for any input! Viv
I went to my Dr. over a year ago to tell him about my very obvious Neuroma pain in my left foot. he told me the pain was due to a botched bunion surgery and it needed to be corrected on both feet. I didn't ask for a second opinion because I trusted him. He did the surgery, didn't set the screws back into my left foot properly Oct, 15,2011 and I could feel them popping out so March of this year I had it opened up and wouldn't you know it... the screw was loose so they took them out. Needless to say I finally could work out again almost a year later and the dang pain is still there! So I go back to the new surgeon that is at the clinic because mine moved to another one and they have been treating me with cortisone shots for the neuroma. I am SCARED to death to have a 3rd surgery in a year but I am a runner and NEED to run for my sanity. I am 42 and to dang young to not walk in sexy heals (which i haven't touched in over a year and a half) and cute flip flops. I see a podiatrist and don't know if they or an orthopedic surgeon is the best route. Any suggestions?
I have Neuroma in BOTH my feet...since 2000. They were treated with physical thearpy for 6 weeks which did NOTHING. Then injections for 4 weeks to deaden the nerve. The pain started coming back in my left foot a several years ago and I've just tried to live with it....until three weeks ago my right one starting killing me and I could barely walk. So, here I am with TWO feet that hurt to put any pressure on them. I'm sure you can imagine what I look like when I try to walk. So, my podiatrist did the cortizone injections in both feet last week and unfortunately, it's not helping a whole lot. I go back in 3 weeks to see him for the follow up. I'm afraid that I'll have to have surgery on both of them. Obviously, from reading all these posts, I'll have to do one at a time, but wow...this really stinks! So, recovery time x's TWO. All I know is I can't live with this pain any longer. I can't exercise at all. I can't even walk right much less run. I have a 3 year old at home, so being mobile is a must! I just want to make sure the surgery is going to work and is the right thing to do, but I guess there is no way to tell for sure until you do it. Thanks for this blog Chris. It has been very helpful to me.
Hi all,
I've spent most of the day reading through the post and 300 comments and am so thankful to read input from such a broad range of 'victims' (which none of you are in spirit!).
I was diagnosed last week with MN - but I'm wondering what levels of pain people were dealing with *before* they had the op? Currently I'm taking 50mg diclufenac with 500mg paracetamol just to function, and that doesn't often hold off the pain. The pain comes even if I walk 100m to the local shop, if I'm sat for too long unable to stretch my legs out (free tickets to Evita were ruined in the second half by MN pain!), and as a hiker, I've not been able to walk for a year or more now.
The pain radiates from my toe (originally I thought it was just an ingrowing toenail after losing 3 hiking), down my 4th toe, under the ball of the foot there and towards my arch. There is definitely something 'there' and the whole foot feels stiff, but the pain just disables me to the point of tears (it's horrific) and I could do with crutches to get around some days.
Custom orthotics from Canada (I'm a Brit living in Norway btw) helped for maybe a week; PT to lengthen my calf and manipulate my foot helped on the day it was 'done' but the exercises I did at home just didn't maintain that. A waste of money (I'm having to pay for this all privately).
So I've read the blog and the posts, the cortisone and alcohol injections seem like a waste of time and I'm thinking I'd rather just head for the op and get it done with so I can walk next year, visit some of the sights in Oslo and even just be able to meet up with friends for a coffee (sometimes I just can't walk at all).
So what were your pain levels before the op like, and was it worth it?
Thanks!
Helen
I had neuroma surgery on 11/16. My doctor told me at my first follow-up after my surgery that it was very large. My pain started in July 2010 and I tried cortisone shots, alcohol shots, physical therapy and acupuncture. Acupuncture was the only thing that provided any temporary relief.
Today it has been a week. While my foot is still bandaged it does feel better. It is a little tender on the bottom if I try to put weight on it.
I will post an update after my stitches are out and I am back walking like a normal person but so far I am glad I had the surgery.
After two and a half years of constant pain, it will be nice to have any relief.
Next step... my other foot!
I am an avid tennis player and had the surgery a few years ago. I had been bothered by the pain for 3 years or so until it got to the point of severe numbness and sharp pain. Sometimes it got to the point where it felt like someone just stabbed me in the foot with a knife. I tried specially molded orthotics and corizone shots and they were ineffective. I had the surgery in early august and was back playing tennis at 100% a month later. I was an incredibly fast healer. I did the surgery on a Friday and was out and about the next day on crunches. I was off crutches on day 10 probably because I'm stubborn and hated them. I was also given pain killers but did not use them because they made me nauseous and dizzy. But surprisingly I had little pain after the surgery. It was more like numbness and soreness. I think I figured a little pain is nothing to what it used to feel like. I suppose everyone is different. Fast forward 7 years to now...my foot is great. I have not had a problem since. The permanent numbness is nothing. You don't even notice it. However the same problem is starting to happen to my other foot. When the cold whether hits my foot feels like its sore and painfully cracking so I'm about ready to call up my podiatrist and see about surgery on the foot. Hopefully Im still a fast healer.
Thank You for all your stories on MN. After reading all the comments I decided to go through with the operation after my broken wrist heals. I'm am trying for the beginning of the new year. When I see my Dr. in 2 wks. I have a lot of questions to ask thanks to everyone
Ok, I have a question for anyone who might have an idea. I've read only about 100 of the comments, so I may have missed it somewhere, so I'll ask anyway.
I had surgery June 29, 2012 on my left foot. 10 days post surgery my soon let our then puppy in the house and I was sitting on the couch with my foot uncovered and the puppy jumped right on top of my foot pulling 2 of my stitches. (not out, just enough to cause it to bleed a bit) All I cared about was that it hurt like crazy. 3 days later I started to have pain and my foot started to swell and turn red. I knew it was either cellulitis or MRSA. Anyway, we to ER got antibiotic shot and oral antibiotics and sent home without it being cultured. Started running a fever 4 hours later and knew I was in bad shape. Went to a different hospital the next day and was hospitalized for 6 days. Anyway...my question is I'm over 5 months past surgery and I have pain all the way up from my foot to my hip, my dr. thinks it's coming from my back, but I'm not buying it. I was hospitalized again in September for 3 days b/c the pain was so bad they had to get it under control (and I've been in an equalizer boot since then so 2 1/2 months). I've been diagnosed with chronic regional pain syndrome now and had an injection in my back to numb the nerve last week but have not felt one bit of difference. Has anyone else experienced this? I now have a rather large MN in my right foot (you can actually see the nerve bulging at the top a bit at times.) I see my dr. again tomorrow. I'm tempted to beg for surgery for my right foot as I'm a college student and I'm done for this semester, but I'm scared to death the same thing is going to happen in my right foot/leg. I'm allergic to the cortisone shots (and most other pain meds, except demerol)and I'm just not quite sure where to go from here! Thank you ahead of time for any input!!!
Sarah from NM
Hi everyone - I've just spent the past 90 minutes reading all the posts here. I'm scheduled for surgery this coming Tuesday, 12/11, and after reading I thought I'd share what I learned for anyone else who stumbles (considering our common foot problems - pardon the pun!) onto the site like I did:
1. Surgery is the easy part.
2. Make sure I'm given a surgery shoe or some kind of bootie, and either have a cane or crutches handy - use as necessary.
3. Do not get dressing wet for fear of serious infection that can lead to amputation - see Crash's post. Buy plastic cast covering or double-bag foot with plastic bags for showering/bathing. Get shower chair if possible.
4. Expect foot to feel like lead for 12-24 hours after surgery - maybe more - due to block.
5. Buy laxative and use it! Perhaps have wheely chair nearby so I can more speedily arrive in bathroom.
6. Stay AHEAD of the pain. Keep a tight pain management schedule. Don't wait for pain to get bad before I take a pill. Buy crackers so I don't take pain meds on an empty stomach - this should help with nausea.
7. Keep foot elevated due to swelling.
8. Expect weird sensations since nerve has been severed and foot has been traumatized.
9. Listen to my body. It will tell me if I'm doing too much.
10. Note to self - write a note on my foot to doctor to BE SURE THAT HE ATTACHES NERVE STUMP TO MUSCLE!
11. Be brave and know I'm doing the right thing, even if it is scary and is keeping me up all night worrying.
It really is terrifying to face surgery. While this is my first neuroma, I've had three previous orthopedic surgeries - screws put in bones, ankle reconstruction - so I'm very familiar with post surgical pain, the joy (?) of immobility and crutches, and the patience it takes to heal. I've been down this road before. I sure hope I can do it again!
Surgery taking place in South Florida. I've got a month off from school - something else I noticed from postings - a lot of teachers seem to develop neuromas. This probably stems from us kicking our file cabinets and trash cans in frustration for oh so many reasons! As a professor, I'm concerned that in 4 weeks when I have to start walking all over campus again that I won't be ready so that's my goal. If not, I guess I'll need to flag down the nearest security officer on a golf cart for a ride!
Thanks to all who posted and gave me so much information tonight to ponder. A wonderful blog Chris - and I wish everyone here a speedy recovery and better foot health in the future!!
Dr. Malia
I had neroma surgery about 6 weeks ago and when I walk it hurts more now than before my surgery. Has anyone had this kind of experience post surgery?
Hello, I'm 5 days opst op, been sitting with my foot elevated and litle walking except to the toilet. I am a drama teacher so on my foot all day, been told in leaflets the hosptal gave me 4-8 weeks off work, will see how I go. Booked 5 weeks off (2 are over xmas though). Work said I can have more time if needed. In a lot of pain today on the ball of the foot, cannot put the ball down yet and got a big shoe but have been heel walking and that has been making me twist my foot to the side. Had a 'massive' neuroma apparantly, may have had two as they said we have removed the neuroma's. Had 2 incisions on one foot between the 3rd/4th and 4th/5th I think...not seen the consultant yet - will see him in 8 days so will know more then.
Dr. Malia here again - two days post-op. Surgery went smoothly. I had what is called "heavy sedation" so no breathing tube required. I was out like a light and knew nothing of the procedure. One minute I was in the OR getting settled on the table, and the next I was opening my eyes in post-op. No nausea since I had a lot of anti-nausea meds given to me via IV. Surgery was about 1:15pm and I was out of there by 4.
The pain the first night was about a 7 out of 10. I must not have had the ankle block everyone talks about, or if I did it wasn't a long block! The percocet I was given got the pain down to about a 3 and I slept through most of day 1 post op. I am also on Zofran for nausea and one of the two drugs made me very dizzy yesterday so I had a hard time sitting up for very long.
As long as my foot is up it feels pretty good. I exercise my ankle and toes and can put a little weight on my heel but I'm using crutches for now to get around. When my foot is down for more than a few minutes it starts pounding. I'm trying not to take the drugs today since I don't like the dizzy symptoms - we'll see how I do. When my foot does hurt, it's the incision burning and the bottom of my foot aching.
So far I'd say don't be afraid of the surgery itself - it's a breeze compared to other orthopedic surgeries I've had. These first few days post surgery are definitely to be spent being VERY low key. I can't imagine doing anything that doesn't involve me keeping this foot elevated.
Will check in again - good luck to everyone else in the same boat!
Hey, just wanted to thank you for a great post. I just had surgery for Morton's Neuroma in Switzerland and it was very helpful to read about your experience. All best
I had my surgery 19 days ago and walked without a limp from the living room to the kitchen yesterday. That's unaided, unmedicated and without a limp! I've limped for the past year so that is just incredible to me!
I still make a point of keeping my foot elevated as much as possible to keep swelling down. There was a little wobble where my foot didn't want the stitches in at all and would have benefited from being removed day 12 rather than 14. As a result there was some very minor infection but that has cleared with antiseptic gel applied 2x daily (I didn't have antibiotics).
I count myself lucky at this early stage that things seem to be going well. There is, of course, the expected bruising and toe numbness but I am able to progressively bend my toes more and am really hopeful now for a more active future!
A world away from Neuroma pain!
I got the surgery 48 hours ago...I have kept my foot up and so far (with meds) have had no pain. It has only been 2 days, but I'm starting to go stir crazy all ready. Hopefully, once I get my stitches out (in 2 weeks) I'll be able to move again!
It's been a year since surgery, I've have never really been pain free, and I still can't walk barefoot on hardwood floors. The doctor is almost certain I have a stump regrowth. The RF treatments every 3 months have been very effective in the non-surgery foot, but less so at the surgical site. I don't want to be discouraging, and it's probably my own fault from overdoing it during recovery, as I was involved with a home remodeling project. I want to warn everybody to not make this mistake and stay off ladders for at least 6 months. Has anyone had a second operation to remove a nerve stump?
Hi I am 2 days out of surgery today. The surgery itself was fine no issues at all. What gets me is the difference in the after care. I must say I am disappointed with the NHS. I had a sickly reaction to the general anesthetic about 3 hours after I had woken up but as I was on a day ward
I felt I was pressured to go home before I was fully recovered which resulted in me being very sick on the way home.
Also the nurse said I was fully weight bearing so no shoe no crutch.
I have has the cut on the sole of my foot and a bandage around half of my foot and they expected me to walk out into the car park completely unaided. I requested a boot.
Also I have been told to take the bandage off at 48 hours and put a plaster on the wound. There is no way I am doing that. Its so secure now no chance of infection so I have rang to ask if I can keep it on for a week and have an appointment for a nurse to change it. My stitches are out on 21st after 19 days..I would love to hear your comments on this..other than that hardly any pain at all in my foot yay
I am seven weeks post op. My surgery went well. I was nervous about having stitches removed because of things I read ,but it was no problem at all. My foot is still sore, my toes do not bend, my calf is on fire. I can't imagine trying to massage my foot. Just the thought scares me. My husband has touched it a few times but it feels very uncomfortable. I used crutches for a couple days. I wore the boot for 2 weeks. I then started to wear an Avia sneaker in a wide. I still walk on the side of my foot when I don't have a shoe on. I can't wait for the day I can walk flat foot. I think maybe the pain in my calf will subside then.
Hi there,
So I am 5 months post op from having 2 neuromas removed from my left foot. I thought I was progressing nicely until about a month ago, when I started feeling tingling and burning where one of the neuromas was removed. Tremendous ball of foot pain. My Orthopedic surgeon thinks I may be developing a stump neuroma. She gave me a cortisone injection today and it HURT! I may have to have repeat surgery in several months if the cortisone doesn't help.
The biggest piece of advice I can give for those of you who are considering the surgery; talk to your doctors about tucking the cut nerve into muscle or bone. Otherwise, the bulbs may sprout on the end of the cut nerve and you may develop a stump neuroma.
Thanks, J
I have 3 neuromas, 2 in my right foot and 1 in my left and have lived with them for 6 years. I used to do a lot of salsa dancing in heels which I think may have helped cause the problem. I was told by my doctor that surgery was the only way to go.I really don't want to go down that route unless I absolutely have to. I have tried physio and accupuncture and both helped a bit but the affects wore off. I then discovered fitflop shoes which have changed my life. They have left me pain free for the last 3 years. I can walk for about 3hrs max but then my feet start to ache. I am mindful that I did a lot of damage by over exercising and so have scaled this back and just swim, walk and do yoga. No dancing yet. But my knee and hips have healed by themseleves so I am hopeful that my feet will follow if I give it all the time they need. It just means I have to give some things up, like pretty shoes. If you haven't tried fitflops invest in a pair. I have their boots for work and trainers for home.
I just found out that I have to have this surgery in my right foot. My excellent foot doctor will be making the incision on the BOTTOM of my foot so as to reduce the chance of nerve regeneration, which does commonly occur! I am nervous because I dance as well and love to wear high heels - which he said I could return to after surgery after a few months. I wish I did not have to get this surgery - but if I don't, I will have to put up with that terrible burning sensation under my foot that sends shockwaves of tremendous pain! I also hope that I get help post-op! I really don't have the best "nurses" so to speak around me! How sad eh?! True! And, I am a great nurse for others! How does this work eh?! Please say prayers for me. If anyone knows any quicker recovery time, please list here. Thanks!
Kaz, can you please post again about the radiofrequency denervation treatment and your success or otherwise. I am an Australian, living in Europe and consulting a surgeon in the UK next week. I would very much like to pursue this course of treatment rather than surgery if it is available in the UK. Many thanks. Rob
I had the Morton's Neuroma surgery and am pleasantly surprised on the great outcome so far. First off, I drove the day after surgery. I rode my horse 4 days later and the barn is an hour away. I just had my stitches removed (2 days short of two weeks) and can walk fairly normal. I walk a little more on my heel just because I don't want to cause too much swelling. I had very little swelling. I just put on a Dansko clog type of shoe and can walk normal. I don't work outside the home but I could have gone to a job shortly after. One week after surgery I drove an hour to the barn and rode 3 horses. I only write this because it seems like only people who have problems post. Because of that I put my surgery off for years.
just found out yesterday that my doc is recommending mn surgery...i am stateside now but live in indonesia. my hubby went back a couple days ago & my 2 little guy(age 2 & 4) n i r scheduled to fly back to join my hubby about 10 days after potential surgery....is this realistic?! am thinking of no mobility for that wk before travel is gonna drive me bonkers w/ all the to do lists. am concerned cuz surgery may b harder later so am in betw a rock n a hard place!
Oh my! I have had this burning, painful feeling there on my foot for years! I've taken to living in Birkenstocks, they are the only shoes that don't bother me. I was on the internet looking to see if there were Birkenstock boots, and there are! Very expensive though.... So, this all started my search for info on this pain in my foot... I found a name, Morton's Neuroma, and I found you!
Who knew?
Chris and All:
Thank you for starting this post and sharing your experiences.
I have been living with a MN in my left foot (between 2nd and 3rd toe) for approximately 5 years. I think it was most likely caused by daily running in tight New Balance or Nike sneakers. I have had 5 cortisone shots (the last one a year ago was ultrasound guided) and i did not experience one bit of relief from the cortisone shots. I find the pain is less when i take 2 advils or tylenols. the MN gets inflamed when i go ice skating (i'm a hockey player), skiing, cycling or anytime i'm active wearing snug footwear. i am able to practice yoga 6 days/week and get through it mostly without pain. But i want my old life back where i can play ice hockey and ski, etc... I have been super nervous about getting the surgery and causing more damage or long term pain. i'm otherwsie a healthy 42 year old male in NYC. would appreciate any commentary on whether i should just live with it as is, or alternatively get the surgery? thank you, steve
Steve - I would have to say you are right to be nervous about surgery. I am glad I had the procedure, but it has taken almost 2 years to get back full flexibility. The surgery is invasive and difficult. If you can tolerate the pain now in some meaningful way, that's still better than going through the trauma of surgery & recovery. That's my view, anyway. You should definitely stay in close contact with an orthopedic specialist you trust.
Heading into Surgery on the 22 Feb 2013 - such a useful blog. I didn't realise that I would be off my feet for so long. Good to know, I'll report in once I have it done. Zoe (London, UK)
wow. i just had surgery last friday (feb 1 2013) and have had a completely different recovery thus far. first, i was in and out of surgery in just under 3 hours. that is from check-in to in the car driving home. 7 hours seems insane!
i didn't read all of the comments (there were so many!), but my surgeon goes in from the bottom of the foot. it appeared that yours went through the top? my surgeon stated that most go through the top "due to an irrational fear of cutting the bottom of the foot." he said the tides are turning, though, to favoring the bottom. he said the nerve is at the bottom, so going through the top, though it may allow a quicker recovery time, is actually more invasive because they have to cut down through the tendons, etc to get to the nerve.
also, going through the bottom allows him to see all of the nerve to make sure he gets it all. he stated that his recurrence rate is as close to zero as it can get.
my experience also differs from yours in that i took one vicodin (norco) when i got home from the surgery and one 6 hours later. that's it. within 12 hours i was off the pain meds. i was also mostly up and about within a couple of days.
the recovery process for me consists of two weeks of crutches, two weeks in a boot, and two weeks in a shoe, but no activity (other than walking after two weeks) for six weeks. this is probably longer due to the fact that he went through the bottom.
i had my first post-op appointment today and i requested a knee walker (some people call them scooters, they called it a leg caddy at the orthopedists). that greatly helps my mobility. crutches were terrible.
anyway, i loved reading your blog and wanted to share my two cents for anyone else reading!
Thanks for all of your comments and sharing your experiences. I am scheduled for surgery at the end of this month. I plan on returning back to work after two weeks. I also work as a nurse, but only two days a week. I already know it will not be a cake walk, but with prayers and meds I hope to be a trooper.
@Rob/Anonymous - am not sure when you posted your comment as I have not been Chris's blog for a while. RFD worked very well for me. Yes, I still have the neuromas in both feet, but no pain, and occasionally even wear high-heeled shoes. I am walking the golf course, bush walking(both always with my orthotics) and can also walk bare foot again without any issues. I sometimes get cramp in my left foot around the second and third toes when swimming but it does not last too long. The only reminder of the neuroma in my left foot is a bit of a marshmallow-between-the-toes sensation. The right foot does not give this sensation or cramp at all. The chap who did my RFD treatment in MLB is from the UK so I'm sure it must be available there. You could call Imaging at Olympic Park in MLB and ask him or the RFD nurses there. Best of luck. Cheers. Kaz.
Amazing recount and great to read for someone who is 24 hours away from the surgery. thank you, thank you for documenting this. bravo!
I have a question for everyone. I have MN in my left foot, (right foot now possibly starting) visible gap between toes but it has been in "remission" for the last two years. While it was painful I wore wide shoes and the pads, got the cortisone shots and it eventually went away. Now I find when I walk for exercise, the balls of my feet burn after a half hour. Am debating if it would be worth it to get the MN removed or not mess with it??
Thank you for your blog, I am 1 week post surgery and being a busy mum I don't have the luxury of being able to rest as much as I should. I'm still in quite a bit of pain but your blog has made me feel that everything will be ok.
Elaine
19 March 2013 Hi Kaz, many thanks. I posted that message a couple of months ago, I think. I had radiofrequency ablation treatment done in the UK last Friday. I have been told that it will take a week before I feel any difference but, at the moment, my feet do not feel much different - still electric, buzzy and tingly. Did yours gradually recover? Did they still feel hot and tingly two days after the procedure? Were you told that this is a temporary or permanent fix? Sorry to bombard you :)). Rob
Thank you Chris for creating this site and as we can see by all the posts, it is one that I have frequently returned to thru out this ordeal. I am 2 weeks past surgery, stiches out next week. I had 2 Neuromas removed, 1 from each foot between 2nd & 3rd toes. I am recovering at home although I am SLOWLY recovering, I did not have the neuromas sewn into the muscle, Dr said he jst cut the nerves short in order to prevent stump neuromas. I am curious to those who had their neuromas sewn into the muscle had a faster recovery? I don't see how some were so lucky to be back on their feet in 2/3 weeks time. I realize I had both feet done, but I know I have a log way to go. Also anyone have the chills at night? I wake up freezing, but I also ice my feet some of the night, not the whole night. Pain is worse in the morning, also sometimes my feet are very cold to the touch. I am on Norco for pain, the motrin is tearing up my stomach even with food, I am going to try Naproxen but in the past it makes me short of breath, UGH!! Yesterday Doc gave me same shot in my feet as I was getting before surgery to get some relief, but I didn't sleep much last night with the foot throbbing and waking freezing. I am just tring to get thru this, But this is a little more than I expected. I get a lot of zings & zaps and am resting. Yes, I have my computer, remote, etc, Also any advice to get those amazing crocs that everyone talks about? I did get the shower cast short leg sleeves and they work great, although I had to pay $40.00 from from Dr, I would advise others to get them, shop around, see if you can get them cheaper and also get crutches, they helped me for the 1st week, and you'll need help to allow yourself to heal by resting, elevation, ice, and meds
I'm two weeks out from my 3/42013 surgery. I had a neuroma removed between my 3rd and 4th toes on my left foot. I also had the joint of my big toe fixed. The doctor removed the broken bone fragment, drilled holes to encourage new cartilage growth and filed off the bump on the top where my foot was laying down new bone trying to heal itself. How annoying.
I had to wear loose shoes so the neuroma didn't bring me to my knees. My narrowish feet slopped around in too wide shoes with my big toe continually bumping the end of my shoes. Walking 3 miles a day and living on a good sized hill exacerbated the bumping. Im pretty sure that crashing into a wall last year caused the bone fragments in the joint Don't ask, I have ADHD and am apparently not very observant of stationary objects. Tried cortisone shots, alcohol injections, orthotics, inserts and walking less. I finally gave up and decided to have surgery since I'm too young to hobble around in ugly rocker shoes!
Anyhow, after numerous referrals and seeing 3 podiatrists and one sports medicine ortho I picked a highly recommended surgeon. The surgery was unremarkable and not terrible painful. Went home with a funny looking stiff-soled shoe that I haven't used since. I think I used the Tylenol with codeine for a few days after the numbing medicine finally wore off. I had to use crutches for the first week, quite a challenge while taking pain meds. My husband would follow behind me on my crutches so he could catch me if I started to topple over. I scooted on my botton on the stairway since it seemed safer. I went back for a bandage change and got a black walking boot. I was given an appointment for 22 days after surgery to get the stitches out. I plan on taking an anti-anxiety pill and a Tylenol codeine pill before that appointment!
I sleep with a wine carrier box down by my foot. It holds the sheets above my foot and over the two pillows I try to sleep with my foot propped up on. My big toe joint isn't too happy when it has pressure on it. I'm pretty mobile now. When I go out to eat I prop my foot up on a chair or the booth. Walking isn't too bad. I come home to elevate and ice my heel. I stay off my feet more than I want to but it makes sense to me to take it easy and heal.
Luckily, being reasonably fit and strong has come in handy. Crutches are a challenge. If you are planning on having surgery make sure your thighs are strong before you do. It's not easy to raise and lower yourself to/from a sitting position on one leg. Glad I gave myself a pedicure right before surgery. The bright toes set off the big, clunky black boot.
The shooting pains have subsided. I can now stretch without setting off an avalanche of weird pains. My foot is blue up to my ankle. My toes turn blue if I don't elevate my foot. The pain is bearable but I am very careful about how long I am on my feet and how much I do.
So far, so good.
Linda
Well im so so happy and releived to find these comments/experiences. Im not sure how old these are but theyve put my mind at ease...slightly! Im 8 weeks post op after having mortons removed from right foot and also having big toe straightened and arthritic bone shaved off. Ive been doing great until yesterday when i had awful marble pain return to the bottom of foot.i sobbed as i was so frustrated.i hoped surgery would be instant cure and im not the worlds most patient person! After reading through these blogs/comments its great to find others in same situation(i dont mean that nastily!) its time thats needed for healing and i will continue to massage the sole of foot and scar area and be patient! Thanks to eveyone on here and gd luck to all xxx glad i found you xx
I have been diagnosed with Morton's Neuroma in my right foot and have had one cortisone shot several years ago. My pain seems to be different from any I have read on this blog. My pain is more like a cramp.
After being on my feet for a few hours the cramp comes and I have to get off my feet. I find that I will also get the cramp when driving, which is rather inconvenient. I have to massage my foot and rest it for a while in order to move on.
Does any else's pain feel like a cramp?
Hi Chris, I am having a hard time finding a reputable Doc to do my surgery. I have been looking for Podiatrists and most tell me they have only done 2-5 of these surgeries over the past decade. Do you think an Ortho would be more qualified? Any search tips? How many Neurectomy surgeries had your doctor performed? many thanks..
I was so pleased to find this blog prior to my neuroma surgery to better understand what the recovery would be like and clearly it really varies from person to person. I am 45 and super athletic and the pain of my neuroma which had become substantially worse over the past 2 years had become unbearable. I had seen 3 podiatrists, had multiple injections that had minimal effect and finally decided to get the surgery based on the advice of 2 out of the 3 podiatrist. (I was misdiagnosed by the 3rd with a torn plantar plate.) The MRI also confirmed the neuroma in my right foot. The surgery was an absolute breeze. I took pain meds the day of surgery just to be on the safe side and never needed them again. I laid flat with foot elevated for 3.5 days until my first post op and the Dr said to ditch the crutches and walk a little. He said just keep the foot elevated when sitting and dont overdo it. I felt no pain unless I put my full weight on the ball of my foot. By day 7 I found I could walk slowly and normally. I am being very cautious but I am dying to get to the gym. I am not use to sitting still ever so not being active is tough. I started doing simple crunches - with foot elevated day 3. Day 4-8 I figured out a floor routine to exrecise my body with leg lefts, butt lifts, modified push ups, air bicycle, etc. I truely believe activity helps healing, gets the blood flowing and helps with mental health. I am hoping my Dr will ok the exercise bike for some cardio if I push with my mid-foot to heal. Today is day 8 and tomorrow the stitches come out. So far this has not been near as difficult as I expected. I am an avid speed skater, mountain biker, runner, hiker and skier. I am very hopeful I will be able to do it all again. I will post an update in a few weeks. Good luck to all!
Hey,
Thanks for sharing your story, I am due to have the same Surgery within the next week. I have put up with this pain for the past 4 years. I am 59 year old and an ex serviceman. In my Military days I suffered an Injury to my right leg and had surgery, including my foot (same foot as Neuroma)This was over 40 years ago. So all these years I have thought that the pain was part of the initial injury, and not worried about it. But as mentioned for the past couple of years the pain has been very hard to live with. Most people say I have a very good pain threshold as I have in the past had some major injuries and dealt with the pain as others would not. But enough is enough and why should I put up with anymore pain and have my quality of life suffer. Once haeled I hope to go back Scuba Diving, in the past this has been an issue as the pressure from the water to the fin and my foot was un bearable. So thanks for your comment. All i need to do now is have the surgery - recover and get on with my job and my life.
Regards,
Gray.
Hi All, I am now 3 weeks post surgery. I have resumed driving and can wear a few slip on casual shoes (Merril, Easy Spirit, Teva - sandals) and find these other shoes are more comfortable than the boot which caused a blister on the side of my foot.) At about 12 days out I began riding the recumbent bike (30 mins) and row machine (15 mins) without any problems. I also do my floor execises nearly every day and it is keeping me sane. My biggest problem occurs when I stand for too long, like when I am cooking. I have noticed that my foot turns purple and swells. I just have to sit every 10 or 15 mintes and elevate it. I can do short slow walks with my dogs - about 15 minutes is the limit for now. This is slow progress but I am optimistic. Happy healing all!
Had my surgery 3 days ago Dr. Said it was very large, but today I get up to use rest room and felt very dizzy and things were blurry, is that normal.Dr only gave me 3 wks off work were I'm on my feet ALL day walking on concrete floor is that enough time...ugh so stressed
3 days after surgery got up felt dizzy and things were blurry, is that normal also got 3 wks off work but is that long enough I'm on my feet all day on concrete I'm wondering if that's long enough really worried
Thank you so much for your experience. I just got the news that really my only option is living w/ this or surgery. I also am active and being a girlie girl, I love wearing my heels. I'm so scared to do the surgery but I cannot live w/ that sharp pain that seemingly comes out of nowhere and kills me.
I guess I will go for a second or third opinion. My doctor is really cool but it's always good to have a back up.
I'm going to continue reading the comments and try not to freak myself out too much. Luck to all!
Caren in FL
I am 3 weeks post surgery. I was walking on my foot with the bandaging within days of my surgery. After 8 days I got the stitches out and was walking in normal shoes as I left his office. (My bandage was thread bare from walking on it). The day after the stitches were removed, I loaded a U-haul to move my daughter to her new home 1000 miles away. I worked my tail off this past week helping her get set up and unpacked. She lives in a second floor apt so I got a lot of stair exercise. It's barely sore. I was driving the day after surgery and have not really had any issues. I had tons of concern after reading posts here, but again, it's not even been a full 3 weeks yet and I'm back to walking in my normal tennis shoes a few miles every night. BTW, my doctor said it was one of the largest neuromas he's ever removed, MRI showed it to be 9cm x 4cm, but in fact was much larger. This has been a breeze and grateful I did it.Very few pain pills, no crutches, no cane, nothing special but elevating and icing it for the first 4 days. It helped to keep ice packs in place by wrapping them on with ace wraps.
hi I've just found your site and can relate to so many of your pre op symptoms. I live in sunny Devon, England and was informed by my doctor yesterday that I will require surgery. I love the photo of yourself on the sofa and am now writing a list of all the things I will close at hand after the op. I am very apprehensive about having foot surgery but if it can get me back to walking my very active springer spaniel then i'm all for it. Oh one thing I want to know is when can I wear stilletos again, I have a wedding next year please don't tell me its crocs or nothing
Hi just found this blog _four weeks post surgery for MN- & it's reassuring to read of others experiences-especially post op and how long it takes to get back to "business as usual"-its also interesting to see how things are done in another country-
A few observations-
one re the amount of pain killers writers have needed- I was given panadeine forte (each tablet has paracetamol500mg and codeine 30 mg) and only needed it for 48hrs before swapping to a panadol(cf Tylenol) in a dose that you would take for a tension headache-
another observation re footwear- I was given a very simple post op boot which is no more than a flat plank of wood with some Velcro straps and after two weeks told to wear whatever is comfortable- this turned out to be a pair of oversized very soft trainers in which I could put my pre-op orthotics and my very sensitive swollen foot- I think I would have liked to be in the wooden shoe longer and look like someone who's just had surgery rather than someone who's got bad taste in footwear!
I didn't find the stitches coming out painful- a bit uncomfortable
Getting around on crutches was difficult however. -and my hands and armpits were really sore/stiff till I had a deep tissue massage yesterday.
My biggest problem is now my own impatience to get back to normal- I went back to work after 3days(probably too soon) as I'm a doctor and thought my patients needed looking after more than I did!!! -took a taxi to work for the first 2 weeks-now driving again but it is a long hobble from the car park to my office- part of my job is office based but ido a have to give lectures and run workshops so really feel for the teachers who have to stand all day.
Something I like to know from others who have had MN surgery is how long it has taken to get back to sport- I'd love to book skiing trip next January but the thought of putting on ski boots .......I used to sail....but perhaps causing most anxiety is dancing- I'm a competition ballroom dancer and fear my dancing career is over...so can any one reassure me or share how they got back to fairly elite level sport?????
I had surgery in 2008 and it was the best decision I've ever made. I have some discomfort on the bottom of my foot when walking barefoot (which my podiatrist suggested that I do that as little as possible) and I now have a callus on the bottom of my foot that causes some discomfort. I have found Dansko clogs to be the most comfortable since my surgery. Shoes with a lot of padding under where my neuroma was are very uncomfortable. Danskos have a hard flat insole and they do not put pressure on the bones of my 3rd and 4th toes. Has anyone else experienced the callus? Any suggestions?
Hi I am glad I found this post. Many thanks for posting. I have been to my podiatrist for 3 years about this I have large neromas on both feet , I find it painful for doc to touch feet never mind inject them. I have opted for surgery but want them both done at once, not sure my work will be happy me being off too long? I am in Scotland UK so not sure how surgery here compares with States? Bit worried about it actually, most posts are scary to read and frighten the life out of you. Thanks for posting, I will read and debate what to do next. Cheers Wilma x :)
Hi All,
Newcomer Darra here. Going in for surgery tomorrow morning(8/9/13). Chris, thanks for starting this blog. So many mixed feelings now. It helped me, scared me, but also made me strong about all you who went through it too. Hope you are all doing well, I really enjoyed reading all of your stories, tips and input.
Wish me luck.
Peace, out.
Darra
hello there
this has been really useful to read - thank you for doing it Chris. I've had pain from a mortons neuroma for several years now, which got progressively worse a year or so ago. I've had orthotics and also a steroid injection which helped quite a bit. I am now fairly comfortable walking when I can wear my trainers and orthotics (they don't fit into much else) or in my Berkenstocks, BUT in any sort of smarter work shoes I am not very comfortable. I'm not sure I'd call it pain, certainly not like before the injection, but there is a dull ache in the region all the time if I am in smarter shoes, which is a necessity some of the time. I had been contemplating having it incised, but after reading all this, it doesn't sound like I am in nearly as much pain as many of you and am now thinking perhaps I should just stick it out for a while. I have the additional problem of a very large bunion and my surgeon has also said that in an ideal world I'd get that dealt with at the same time but the leg-up part of the recovery for that is 6-8 weeks rather than 10 days and I have 3 small children so pretty unrealistic... I'd be glad of any thoughts/advice people could share about whether I should go ahead with surgery for the MN or not... Thanks!
busymummy
8/13/13 Darra said...
Now 4th day post op.
Saw Dr. today, wound looked great. No swelling and normal.
Not much pain (occasional advil) and bearing full weight. no cane or crutches. So far still very happy with my decision to have the neuroma out!!!
Darra
Hi. Interesting reading another persons experiences. I'm 3 weeks post op today. I was MRI'd prior to surgery to find the critter causing the problem but consultant actually knew what it was. 2 ultrasound guided injections didn't work & my new consultant doesn't do them as they have very limited use. I was only on crutches for 6 hours after having my surgery under local anaesthetic. & was heel walking for the 1st 2 weeks, stitches out at day 8 & straight back driving. Hardly took a painkiller for the 1st 2 weeks but got a lot more painful when I started putting my foot down but to be honest I would have the other foot done tomorrow because the pain relief from the neuroma has been incredible & no swelling. So many people have this & won't have it sorted
Thank you so much for sharing yor experience. I actually have diagnosed myself with a Mortons Neuroma....Im a nurse, but Im so aware that this is a STUPID habit I have. Anyway, I plan to call the Dr. in the AM, after having pain for almost a year! It started with a pulling feeling, and some intermitant numbness, over my 3-4th toes on top and underneath. Anyway, Im scared to death of a cortisone shot, I will do everything in my power to avoid this, Im a terrible patient, but I am limping on a regular! Thanks again, for your experience! Shelly
http://myachingfoot.blogspot.com/2011/03/what-foot-conditions-do-orthotics.html?showComment=1377073210508#c737005935069647246
I did not know before reading this blog that Morton's Neuroma can cause a person to have a foot surgery, it was valuable reading for me.
Gait Analysis
Hi Chris, Hi Everyone
My name is Catherine, I'm 26 and from the UK and two weeks tomorroww, I am due to have my operation on my right foot for the mortons neuromas.
I have experienced pain in my feet for half of my life, but I have never really being took serious as I have always been told its cos of other things such as my irish dancing or cos of the shoes I wear. This past year I was so sick of the pain I went to a different doctors who said he believed what I was saying, and would transfer me to see a foot speciailist. Once there he said he believed I had mortons neuromas, it was such a relief for it to actually be called something and have a diagnosis. After an MRI scan, they found that I had 3 possibly 4 mortons neuromas, two in each foot. They tried the injection, which I agree with you Chris, it absolutely killed me, little scratch he said, massive cut to me haha, but it didn't feel like it helped and in fact give me a new different pain. Since then they have decided to give me this operation.
As I said at the beginning of this message, my operation is in two weeks time and I was wondering if you or anyone could give me any questions that I could possibly ask my doctor before the operation. My mind always tends to go blank and by then its too late.
Also, I was hoping to go back to work on the Monday after the operation as I will not get sick pay as I have not worked with my employer for more than a year. Do you think this is possible? I work in an admin setting, so I would be mainly sat down and could put a chair under my desk for me to elevate it.
Finally, I feel like I've wrote an essay and get told I write too much haha, I just want to say thank you Chris for your blog and for everyone elses comments, as much as I am scared for this operation, it has put my mind at rest a little bit. When I have looked up information about the operation I have stayed away from stories and just looked at the procedure but your story was so positive that I hope mine will be the same.
I hope yours and everyones recovery, who has had the operation, has being good and that everyone is recovering well.
I hope to hear back from anyone who can help me.
Thank you and Best wishes
Catherine
Hi Catherine, chances of getting back to work that fast are zero, Ive been off 4 weeks so far and shoes hurt after an hour or so. Make sure you ask about areas of numbness, stump neuromas & make sure theyre doing if from the top of your foot, as some do it from the sole & its not ideal
Pam
Nice reading the comments posted here about Morton's Neuroma. I suffered with the condition in both feet for a year and a half. (The right one being the most painful). I had seen a GP, 2 Podiatrists, 2 Orthopedists then finally in May of this year I was referred to an Orthopedist who had a subspecialty in the foot and ankle. I had surgery August 15, 2013. He did it from the top of the foot between the 3/4 toes. The first week was quite painful with the swelling, stinging and throbbing anytime I had to hobble to the bathroom. I took Percocet every 4 hours for the first 4 days and am weaning of to now 250 mg every 6-8 hours. The pain has subsided somewhat, however, I have begun to experience a sharp pain in the ball of the foot and am concerned that a stump neuroma might already be forming. Is this possible?
The doctor assured me that he had sewn the nerve ending into the muscle in the arch of the foot.
Does scar tissue begin to form in as little as 2 weeks? Also, when should the massaging begin, how long? It is sensitive to the touch and it would seem difficult to massage at this time. And I still have the steri-strip covering the incision where the stitches were removed last Friday.
Thanks for any comment anyone could give! Anna
Hey everyone ��I found this after my surgery 9 days post op. I haven't has the easiest recovery, but I also had to have 2 joints chizzled on to remove the attachment of two joints as well as the nerve. I am on diladid 4 mg every 4 hrs plus Percocet 5/325 every 6 and 800 mg ib profen every 8. I am in the boot as well. Foot is extremely painful. Still on crutches and elevating and icing the foot. The whole top bottom and side of foot is black. I can only put a little pressure on heel which shoots pain up my entire foot. Suppose to go in 3 days to get stitches out. They had to make 3 incisions on my foot from in between 3rd and 4th toe back to over half my foot. I'm praying this gets much better soon but I'm not going to lie its been rough and I have a high tolerant to pain...
Excellent information an thanks to Chris for the original story.
I've been living with this for well over 10 years. For the first 4 or 5 I tried all the injections, foot wear, etc. But it was just a hassle and I finally gave up on all that when the doc told me I had to wear shoes indoors (I live in So. FL... no way I am not going barefoot).
So for the past 5-6 years I have just lived with the pain, avoiding surgery due to all the horror stories I have heard. But in the past year it has gotten even worse and I think it may be time.
In my opinion, recovery is a reflection of the doctor... so I guess it is a time to find a good one...
I have had this surgery twice now. Once on top like the blogger here and I am recovering from the second which was done on the sole of my foot (same location - I had a stump). Stump hurt far more than the original neuroma BTW.
To allay some fears for people - I have experienced NO pain after each of the surgeries. I take an occasional Naproxin Sodium to cut the pain from not having full support under my knee (on the elevated leg). They do not want to hinder the bloodflow on the femoral artery so no pillow under the knee. That is among the worst parts. Longer recovery for bottom cut and NO WEIGHT so practice on those crutches before surgery and get your house in order so you won't be miserable. Going in from the sole allows them to take more of the nerve without futsing with the tendons and stuff - more direct access. Hope this one works!
So bottom line - worry not about the pain, keep off that foot and prep ahead and go in with a positive mental attitude. I think that makes a huge difference in your recovery and what may happen after (like if it does not work). It happens. You just move on.
Also, I worked from home the day after surgery. If you don't take narcotics - you are almost back to normal from the anesthesia by the night you had the surgery.
Good luck. Everyone is different, so don't stress if things don't go according to what you MIGHT expect.
Hi all,
Thank you Chris and everyone that has contributed. I started reading Chris' blog over a month ago and bookmarked it as I contemplated surgery.
Here's my story:
I had a bunionectomy on my right foot ~5 years ago and it literally took years to recover. Over two years ago I began having a neuroma issue on my right foot and dreaded the possibility of surgery esp. reading horror stories about neuroma removal so I was extremely cautious.
I went to four different podiatrists till I found the best surgeon. This was after various orthotics...the best guy in San Diego for orthotics is Jim Rice at The Foot Depot in Encinitas, CA...he knows his stuff. He was recommended by my podiatrist/ surgeon. Do not just go to any Dr. for this surgery. Dr. Greg Clark of Scripps La Jolla & Rancho Bernardo, Ca, came highly recommended by my teacher friend who had a successful neuroma surgery.
When I first went to Dr. Clark he explained that many people do not actually need the surgery. I first tried cortisone injections which helped but after the third one I felt that I had a bit of loss of feeling (neuropathy) on my foot so I didn't want to get any further shots.
Years prior I completely stopped wearing any shoes that did not have a wide toe box and heels just did not make sense. Think about it..you are squishing the ball of your foot into too small of a space causing it pain...why would you do it? Heels cause all the pressure of your foot to go to the ball of your foot or the source of your pain.
If you are having neuroma pain or most any kind of foot pain, put all those uncomfortable shoes away. Go see someone knowledgable that can help you find the right orthotics...if you don't live in San Diego...I would call Jim Rice at the Foot Depot in Encinitas and discuss your situation with him over the phone. I suffered unnecessarily and there is no need to pay big $ for those on line gimmicks claiming to fix your problem (be leery). The orthotics I got spread my toes out and raised them so that it relieved pressure. I spent about ~$100 but wear my orthotic gear daily and it prevented surgery for some time.
For me the orthotics really reduced the pain but after 4 months I decided this is not going to go away. I will always probably wear the orthotics anyway because they make sense. I bought a pair of the MD crocs as Chris suggests but prior I lived in my New Balance wide toe box sneaks. With the orthotics I was able to wear some comfortable Earth shoes I found at Walmart (go figure) and some Bernie Mev shoes (these were great when teaching as they look nice, can wear orthotics with them & are super comfortable).
My insurance which is currently very good is likely to change soon so that was another reason that I decided to go for the surgery today. Dr. Clark would not have even let me get the surgery until knowing that it was necessary. He went in from the top (right foot) took about ~20 min+ recovery time so about 2 hours in total with prep. I'm taking Vicodin with Tylenol, elevating and icing. So far, so good.
I appreciate I think it was Crash's post about being sure not to get it wet. We have a Polar Care unit for after surgeries which helps swelling tremendously because it keeps the area cold while sleeping, etc. I was told to only ice the ankle but after waking In the middle of the night and feeling the pain, I decided with the protection of the boot (which you sleep with), along with a pillow case and then a thick plastic bag, I can put the polar care ice pack on the foot...gotta numb it...anybody else with this experience? I think this is okay & I'm being cautious but my threshold for pain is low.
I think it's funny that several of these posts are in the middle of the night like mine. Thanks for listening and keep sharing recommendations and your experiences..
Best of luck to all,
Kris
I know this is an old post and I have read it multiple times as I draw near my surgery date. I am scheduled to have both feet done on the same day. My doctor said it would be a weight bearing surgery post-op meaning I could hobble around still. What is your, or any other people who have undergone this procedure, thoughts on this? Thanks for taking the time to share!
Jacob, I am 9 weeks postop from s00urgery having a neuroma removed from my right foot August 15, 2013, The surgery itself was quick and I was able to heel walk to the car after being wheeled out. The pain was fairly intense for the 2st 2 1.2 weeks and I took Percocet every 4-6 hours the first week, then reduced the dosage (250 mg one half), then transitioned to Tylenol.Advil for the next couple of weeks.
Currently, the pain is occasional and feels like stinging, soreness and sometimes achy. There is also a 'lump like' feeling on the ball of the foot which I am massaging daily to break up the scar tissue.
You will definitely need help the first two weeks as you mobility will be limited except to make it to the restroom. Hope this helps!! Ann
Hi Chris! I know that your post was a really long time ago, but there has been so much helpful (and positive, may I add) information and advice on here that I feel compelled to add my story to the pile. I have been dealing with Morton's Neuroma between the 3rd & 4th toes on my right foot for a good 12 yrs., starting with tingling and numbness in my foot when I ran. Over the years it became much more constant...shooting pains into my toes, stinging, clicking in my foot when I walk, etc. I have learned to live with it for so long now that my right knee and ankle are becoming affected by how much I favor my foot. After trying everything else without much luck...and putting up with the pain for much too long...I am finally having surgery two days from today.
I'm also having gastrocnemius lengthening surgery on my calf muscle to give my ankle more flexibility and aid in distributing my weight evenly on my foot instead of so much pressure on the front of my foot as it is now. That may slow my recovery a bit more, but finding your blog was a godsend and has eased my mind quite a bit. I'm going into my surgery with positive thoughts and knowing that this is going to take some time. I'm hopeful for a good outcome!
I am two weeks post op and doing okay. Three days after the stitches were removed my Dr. said to heavily massage the area to break down the scare tissue so I am using something called Foot Rubz (plastic massage ball that you can get on line or at foot specialty store ~$5). I used this prior to surgery too (to help break down the neuroma) and recommend as it allows you to put as much or little pressure as you can handle. I'm not ready to get really in there as my doctor suggested but I'm working up to it.
In response to recent post, I tried to stay off of it as much s possible. By the time I got the stitches out I was ready to hobble around. Still hurts to put pressure on ball of foot so working up to normal walking but not there yet. -Kris
Hello again! I'm the recent "anonymous" poster who was having the neuroma surgery as well as gastrocnemius lengthening surgery on my leg. I am now 2 days post-op and following my doctor's instructions to the letter. I'm on the couch or on the bed with my foot elevated above heart level as much as possible. I'm using a walker upstairs to get back and forth to the bathroom and a knee scooter downstairs, which has been great and made me feel a bit more mobile. I've had no pain whatsoever in my foot, even when I wiggle my toes. I do feel the numb spot in the ball of my foot and around the base of my middle toes. That will take some getting used to, but it's not bad. The only pain I've had is the incision where I had the leg surgery. That is definitely sore. I took the heavy duty painkillers the first night because I was afraid of waking up in the middle of the night in pain. Since then, I've been taking Aleve, which has been working fine.
I was put in a rigid splint cast which is then wrapped with several ace bandages, so I can't move my ankle or even my foot except for my toes. I go back Nov. 7th to get the stitches out, and I think I'll then be put in a soft cast...still no weight bearing. The leg surgery has definitely affected how quickly I'll be able to be mobile again, and I expect I'll need some physical therapy afterward. Has anyone else needed PT? I'm encouraged by the fact that my foot doesn't hurt, but then again, I haven't really been able to move it yet, and I'm non-weight bearing for at least the first two weeks, maybe longer. So far, so good. Reading all of the stories here has been very encouraging and much appreciated.
Sue
Hi, im on day 4 post op and are having them shooting pains thro my toes. Bit worried today tho as im feeling quite light headed & dizzy, do u experience this?
I just went to Dr And planing on surgery over xmas- new year was told id be off 2 weeks and he's. Doing both feet
Rog
I've had this for a few years, just episodes of intense burning below my 4th toe on the ball of my right foot. Of late it has become a real problem when driving, which I do quite a lot of with my job.. After about an hour the pain strikes and is so intense I just want to pull off the motorway (freeway), rip off my shoe and sock and put my foot onto a bag of frozen peas - not something I carry around routinely. I limp slightly from slight loss of muscle control in my left leg after spinal decompression surgery 13 years ago. Add to that, both knees have started causing problems, so I hardly know where to start.
I'm 54, 6'4" and 16.5st. After reading all the surgery recovery tales here, many lengthy and painful, the link to the paper on radiofrequency thermoablation caught my eye. Have first specialist consultation next week, so will be looking into this further.
Happy New Year All
hi - i had this surgery done on 17th december , i have been suffering for around a year with pain went to docs in july , referred in oct then op on dec 17th - pretty quick really!, i cant believe how well my recovery has been , i was very nervous after reading some negative stories but i guess everyone is different , i found it frustrating at times being laid up over christmas but i was very chilled most of the time despite over doing it a couple of times , my dressings came off yesterday after 3 weeks (i had disolvable stitches) and its so neat , just a little tenderness which should disapear over the next few day, i plan to return to work next wed to make it a shorter week (i have a very physical job with children with special needs) i highly recommend the op :)
Thanks Chris for your blog... I have found it very useful.. I've been a little concerned about being laid up for several days... I hate it... but I'll do what I have to. I'm scheduled for the 3rd of February. I'm having a little more done to the left foot in addition to the neuroma.. they will be breaking 2 to 3 of my toes they are badly hammered and I also have arthritis in one of them which causes me not to be able to wear shoes(toe boxes aren't deep enough to accommodate the toes) also the neuroma has spread my 1st and 2nd toes apart to an already wide foot.. I'm really trying to prepare myself.
Yikes, break toes, put in external pins that will have to be removed...stay off my feet how many days!! I didn't even do that when they removed an Acoustic Neuroma from my brain! Have to wonder if their somehow related. They're even on the same side of my body.
I'm also a type 1 diabetic, so some concern there as well.
Thanks again!
Hey!!! You are all so appreciated you have no idea. I have been suffering with this for what now must be 3 years. I have brought all my beautiful heels to the consignment store thinking there was no hope. I did dr scholls, professional orthotics, the metatorsal inserts and finally cortisone shots. 2 sets in california. Now i am in charlotte and have found a great dr so I am told. My surgery is scheduled for 1-29-14 and i was not told any of this stuff. Just that i need the surgery. I am having my pre op the day before and will go in armed with all of the questions regarding scar tissue etc that you all have brought up. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have been wearing scketcher go walks and they have given me relief but i can't walk or do any exercise due to the pain. since we moved i am not working so the pain is not as bad, or actually no existent until i try to walk on the tread mill or put my foot in the wrong position. I am also in need of a complete hip replacement on my right side. my neuroma is on the left foot. i am freaking about the recovery since my weight will be on my right side?? i may be wrong but wondering if that is the case. someone told me about a scooter. has anyone used that? Also the dr is telling me he has to do something with my two toes. is that normal? Thanks again to our little nm family. no one i know has this and thinks i'm crazy..... good luck all i will be back on when i am laid up and wondering "what the heck was that?"..... all the best!
Kim
I am 61/2 weeks post op. I still have tingling in toes really bad and pain in ball of foot when I walk. I have to go back to work in week and half. I stand and walk on cement floors for 8 hours which is going to be difficult with pain. Is all this tingling and pain normal for 6 1/2 weeks ?
Wow. Just got home from surgery. Leg feels like a block. No pain. Just numb. Laying on the couch watching tv. Will start meds as soon as I am ready for bed. Foot up since getting home and will for tomorrow and the rest of the week. So happy for this blog. Answered so many questions for me. Thank you thank you thank you Chris.
So today is the 2nd day post surgery. having a bit of a tummy issue with the codone so make sure if you are taking it that you have ginger ale available and maybe even ask for a anti-nausea pill along with your prescription. The day i had my surgery i was numb afterward for 12 hrs. then the block started wearing off. Didn't take a pill right away and i ended up chasing the pain. Not a good plan. When foot starts tingling pay close attention. I now start eating soda crackers to prepare for my pain pill. It has worked wonders. The day after surgery was a bit rough due to the lack of meds that I didn't take. Again, this was my own fault. Once I got the drill down I was able to sleep. Set the alarm to wake every 4 hours and take my pill. Today, day 3 I have very little pain and have just been keeping my foot up with on and off ice packs. I can't stress enough if you are having this surgery try to get the four wheeled scooter. It has aided me in keeping off my foot, heel and all. Right now it is 4:30 and the last codone I took was 8:30 this am. I did take an advil at 11:30 and nothing since. Icing and elevation, like Chris says is key I believe to a speedy recovery. I haven't any put my heel to the floor yet. And remember..... stool softners and prunes. Trust me. Good luck. Will keep you updated. this wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. Chris is my hero. Thanks eveyone.
It's been a week now. I have still had the good fortune to be able to keep my foot up at night and during the day. I can't stress enough how helpful the "drive" scooter has been to me. Going to the bathroom was easier cause I could just back it in Put my foot up on the seat of the scooter do my thing get up and go. It has virtually made me mobile in the house. I do have hardwood floors so it makes it easier. I have not yet walked on my foot and here and there feel a "shock" or "electrical sting" but so far so good. A little over the sitting around like a lump but I think it's the best for now. I did not get very much info from my doc pre-surgery but have read all of the comments on Chris' blog and know to just sit here and lay low. Once I go next Monday for the stitch removal I'm sure the dr will give me more instructions. It's a slow process but no pain.
1. Get ginger ale, stool softeners, reading materials, and ask your dr if you can get pain meds filled pre surgery.
2. Get comfy pillows. Doesn't hurt to try out your area where you will be laying (bed, or couch) and actually lay down with your foot in the air. See what works and if you need softer pillows etc.
3. Have someone with you for the first 48 hrs.
4. Take plenty of time off work.
5. Have stool softeners and start taking them day 1
6. Have your dr give you an anti nausea pill with the pain pills.
Just a note. I did have a problem with the Hydrocodone. 2 days after taking it I broke out in a horrible itchy rash all over my back and torso. I went to the dermo and he took a biopsy and confirmed it was from the meds. Have a plan b. Discuss this with your dr.
Good luck. Just remember the surgery is quick and easy. No biggie. I worked myself up into craziness and there was no need. None at all.
I read this post before my surgery which was 3 days ago, and I really didn't know what to expect.
I am happy to report that this has been the most pain free surgery I have ever had. Almost no pain from day 1. I did a good job keeping off of it the first 3 days or using a walking boot, but now I have already started using an excercise bicycle to keep the blood flowing in my legs.
All in all, way faster and easier recovery than I expected.
I am 36 years old, and in fairly good shape. I don't expect that it will take more than a month or two to be back at 100%, although I am currently just starting to walk on my foot.
This blog has been so helpful to me, I wanted to say that first.
I had my MN surgery 14 months ago. it was relatively hassle free, but now I'm starting to get pain again, same foot, same area.
Sometimes I get pain even when I've not been up and about that long in the morning. At other times it doesn't come on until the evening.
I wonder if it's phantom pain, or if it's the return of MR. I'm interested to know if others have had this experience too.
I had my surgery 18 months ago & have been having pain again for about 3 months. Saw the consultant last week who has referred me for another mri scan. He thinks that the pain is not a return of my mn but a bunionette, caused by my toes being slightly splayed by the surgery! Here I go again!
This blog has been great! Thanks Chris! I’m in day 6 post opp. I’ve taken all the bandages off and my foot remains elevated. I’ve had very little pain but the bandages just seemed to be cutting off the circulation, which is why I removed them all. Does anyone know if I’m ok doing this or should they remain on for some reason? My doc said the key was keeping it from swelling and I’ve been able to do that by staying off of it and keeping it elevated…. Looking forward to being on the move again!
Thanks,
Adam
Adam I should have taken my bandages off too. I have even been sleeping in my boot as per my dr. My foot swelled so much that it was uncomfortable and the only relief I could get was ice and elevation. It sounds like you are doing great! Good to know. My surgery was 1-29-14 and I am going tomorrow to have the stitches taken out. A little apprehensive to see my foot for the first time since the surgery. Hoping it doesn't freak me out. Will post the unveiling. Only because I would have wanted to hear about it being a girl and always so proud of my cute feet.. lol Now not so much. Hope you continue to mend.
And for the other post I haven't seen anyone posting pain after a year and a half. Hopefully your dr can suggest something to give you comfort.
Kim
Kim Here! Day 12 post op and just got home from having my bandages removed and stitches out. My foot is still swollen and toes are puffy cause the dr. straightened them out but the incision was not as scary as I anticipated. Yay! had four stitches and they came out easily without any pain at all. I did take 3 advil a half hour before my appt cause I was told to do so but it was really easy.
Was told I will be assessed again when I go back in March and at that time they will tell me if I can wear a regular shoe. Until then I am to stay in the boot. Now that the bandages are off my foot is cold. Even in the sock but I am so thankful to have them off! Having tingling at the bottom of my foot and toes.
It was a good day! One step closer to normal. Hang in there. So far it's so worth it!
Adam checking in… My surgery was on 2/3 so I’m in day 9 post-op. Kim, glad to hear your feet are well on their way back to being cute again . I think mine are on their way back to being functional, cute has always been out of the question for my feet…. I just got back from the doctor myself, stitches removed also. She said things are looking typical and I’m on schedule. I did have a little swelling beneath the incision. She wants me to elevate my foot, massage the area around the incision and curl my toes when I‘m sitting around. She says this will reduce the swelling. She also says that recovery is directly related to keeping the swelling down. I still have numbness between my 3rd and 4th toe and lots of tingling. It also feels like my MN toes needs to pop…??.. The best news of the day was she said I could get back to working out as long as it was on a bike, sit ups and upper body. No impact on the feet, of course.
Adam here…. Day 10 post-op. Everything seems to get a little better every day. The swelling under my incision seems to be going down a little. The incision itself has healed but still very sore beneath. I continue to elevate and ice along with the occasional massage of the area. The message really hurts but I can feel the fluid breaking up beneath the incision. Walking is much easier and the tingling is gone except for first thing in the morning… Looking forward to day 11!!
I'm 3-days out from surgery and up and about. Bruised and the tape yanks on my skin around the stitches every I take a step either in the boot or out of it- and it hurts a bit giving me a good indicator that I shouldn't be stepping on the front of my foot! I don't have any swelling, and hope it stays that way but I find that if I use crutches only when it does get a little sore it keeps it from getting worse as it really doesn't hurt much otherwise. I drove yesterday to pick up my kids from school, and have found that I don't really need the painkillers but have used them in the evenings when I try to get a few things done and for the "waking up" feelings that shoot through my foot as it begins healing. I hope that things continue to go well. I've suffered with a persistent neuroma since I was 19-years old and I am now 40 and hoping to be able to wear cute shoes and get active again very soon!
Kim Here..... Adam.... :) being funny about my foot being cute. Being able to walk on it again will be a big treat at this point. I am at day 16 and my toes are still the size of sausages. Did you have anything done to your toes? I am so happy you are doing so well. So excited to know I will as well. My dr here in Charlotte said not to start massaging for a while. He also wants me to pick up tissue with my toes and to curl my ankle and do circles with my foot. The tissue thing....... I aspire to. I am still laid out on the couch keeping it up as much as possible and am icing it right now. I still have bruising between the toes and on the side and underneath the foot. It's the swelling that hurts the most. I have stopped the advil now as well. Only take it when it looks like it's going to be a tough night sleeping. Do you still have to take anything? They were going to break my toes and put pins in but saw they didn't need to go that far once they were in. I will ask for my pathology report at my next visit. Did you get yours?
Melissa I hope you continue to only get better and better. We all heal at different speeds I guess. I am 58 and always been very athletic and active with dance etc. And of course those pointy pumps and boots were staples in my closet.
Thanks for sharing you guys. Sometimes it feels like I am all by myself in this. It helps to know I have neuroma buddies.
All in all it is good and things are progressing. I would do it again.
Thank you so much for ur post - I too have a neuroma along with bursitis - I had multiple cortizone shots and nothing and now moving onto alcohol injections to try and kill nerve - I am so frustrated and depressed as I'm a distance runner and now can barely walk I'm in so much pain :( if these alcohol shots don't work next step is surgery - but ur article was so great and informative!!!!
Kim here.. hi Autumn. I understand your frustration as i slowly stopped all of my physical activities including running. though i was not a long distance runner i did run and pushed it until i couldn't stand the pain of the neuroma any longer. I did cortisone shots for a year and then finally decided to go forward with surgery. I had to keep in mind that it wasn't going to get any better so i scheduled my surgery. I was terrified until i read Chris's blog as the drs didn't really give me any info. If you do the surgery i suggest you read this blog, and take notes. from those notes compile questions that you may have for your dr. Write down the answers as you review them with your dr. it will help. I have found after having surgery that everyone here has been honest a spot on with the recovery period and what transpires.
Adam, you said you are massaging. I still have bandages on my incision and am wondering where on the bottom of the foot you are massaging. In the middle of the ball of the foot? Also i need to start on the top. Got the incision wet (it has two small bandages across it from when they removed the stitches) and it burned. Are you showering without covering it up? I am trying to put weight on my foot but every time i do it hurts and i get shooting pains in my toes etc. did you have that and just work through it? I don't have a dr appt until March 10th 2014 which is a month after the stitches are removed. Your recovery seems to be going well so i will take your lead. i may have babied my foot too long by keeping it up and not putting weight on it.
thanks much!
I posted earlier that my recovery was going well, and after 25 days, I feel like I am at about 95%.
At 10 days, stitches came out. That was uncomfortable for a day or so as the stitch holes healed.
On day 13, I went for a long walk with my daughter, and without even thinking about it started chasing after her in a jog. It was ok, but I realized I should probably not jog, so got back down to walking speed.
I almost don't even think about it anymore, and will soon be jogging again on purpose. I'll ease into the elliptical first, but have been using an excercise cycle since day 7 or so.
In short, I had no complications, very little pain, and the recovery was a snap.
So much better than what I had expected. I'll be on my way to Hawaii this weekend where I intend to surf and paddle board without any issues at all.
I posted earlier that my recovery was going well, and after 25 days, I feel like I am at about 95%.
At 10 days, stitches came out. That was uncomfortable for a day or so as the stitch holes healed.
On day 13, I went for a long walk with my daughter, and without even thinking about it started chasing after her in a jog. It was ok, but I realized I should probably not jog, so got back down to walking speed.
I almost don't even think about it anymore, and will soon be jogging again on purpose. I'll ease into the elliptical first, but have been using an excercise cycle since day 7 or so.
In short, I had no complications, very little pain, and the recovery was a snap.
So much better than what I had expected. I'll be on my way to Hawaii this weekend where I intend to surf and paddle board without any issues at all.
So glad I found this post. I am having the neuroma surgery in a few weeks and I'm pretty nervous. I'm 47 years old and have never had surgery! However, I'm sick of dealing with the pain, not being able to walk barefoot without pain or wear flip flops or walk in the sand, so I'm anxious to get it over with. Unfortuanately, my right foot is now starting to hurt, but I think it's because I am walking oddly to compensate for the pain in my left foot. Anyways, I'm having the surgery on a Friday and I'm hoping to be back to my desk job by the following Tuesday. I do have the ability to work from home, but I really don't like doing that. I'm planning to see how I feel at the beginning of the week post-surgery and make a decisions from there. I'm hoping since the neuroma is on my left foot, I can drive after a couple of days.
I am going on two months since surgery and I am still in agony when walking...I dont' know if it's all the scar tissue on top and bottom of my foot, or whether the nerves are still in an uproar but I'm pretty depressed about it. I got the feeling I'd be nearly back to normal in 5 weeks. I am no where near! How long does the pain last???
Hi Everyone,
This blog has been so helpful. I have 4 neuromas... 2 in each foot. I am a runner and started having shooting pain in both feet 5 months ago. At the time I was running 8 miles a day. Now I have pain in my feet all the time, even when sitting. It hurts to walk, much less run and I am an absolute wreck without daily runs. Total wreck, plus the pain. Ugg.
I have had two rounds of cortisone shots and ditched the heels. I now wear Aasics Keyano (running shoes) with metatarsal insoles at all times, even with dresses and suits. No, seriously... it looks completely bizarre but it's the only way I can function anymore. I am also in physical therapy now and have even installed carpet in the house. So far, nothing has worked.
Almost from the beginning, I have been worried that surgery may be the only long term solution. Monday I see a second doc. He is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in foot/ankle injuries. If I have to get surgery, I would prefer doing both at the same time so the recovery isn't dragged out over two different procedures. But, two on each foot seems like a lot of surgery. I am just so tired and frustrated from dealing with nonstop pain and ready for it to end.
Thank you again for all of the blog entries. It helps a lot!
Deb
3/8/14
One more thing... about those cortisone shots... I was warned about how bad they would hurt. But it was not nearly as bad as I expected. The nurse numbed my feet and all I felt was some intense pressure on two of the neuromas. On the other two, I didn't feel anything.
Maybe I just got lucky.... but in my humble experience, it was nothing to be worried about, especially when you are already in so much pain. In my case, I just wish they actually helped..... that has been really very disappointing.
Long term pain gets you down and depressed after a while, especially when you can't run off your stress. Hopefully the new doc can help on Monday.
Deb
3/8/14
I got a cortisone shot 2 wks ago on my left foot, ouch was not the correct word how the shot felt ! Anyways the pain was gone right away and I've been wearing pads in my shoes to help take the pressure off the ball of my foot. I had MN surgery 6 yrs ago on my right foot, that was a success an not much recovery time needed. Tomorrow I go back to the dr. but my pains have come back after doing some walking around the beach roads yesterday. I know how much it hurts and will hurt if I don't get surgery done so I'm hoping he'll say lets take it out. My right foot MN was taken out from the bottom of my foot and I don't feel any numbness from that time, so hopefully the same will go true with my left foot if he decides surgery should be done. I also have a good size bunion on the same foot so will let you know what happens with my late day appointment tomorrow 3/10/14.
I am now 5.5 post surgery. I had the same experience. I did the cortisone etc. and they weren't horrible. Helped me for a month but then my husband and I packed up a large house and moved cross country and I was hurting by the time I unpacked our new house. The dr here in charlotte did not want to give me more shots. I too went from Aasics and finally was living in Sketchers Go Walks. Of course 5 days before my scheduled surgery my foot totally stopped hurting. The dr assured me I could cancel but that my neuroma would not go away. I decided to go forward. I think I am healing a bit slower than most here on the blog but he did have to do some stuff to my toes too. I got a "Drive knee scooter" which helped. As for going back to work after a few days I don't know. the scooter will help you there if you need to walk a lot. I rented mine but found them for sale on line for under $200. Wished I would have checked it out before renting it through Ortho Carolins. I may just be a wimp but I did end up splitting open my incision when trying to undress. Then a week later (last week) after my second PT session I felt confident enough to start walking and by the end of the day my incision had split open again. Just be careful. I am feeling so much better now though. I am glad I did the surgery. Like you I just lived with the neuroma pain for so long. At least I feel like I have taken control of things and am on my way back to normal. Good luck with your surgery!
I saw my dr. on Monday 3-10-2014, seeing the cortisone shot or padding in my shoe didn't work, I setup for surgery on my left foot for April 2nd. I already had the same surgery on my right foot 8 yrs ago and have had much success so hoping the same will go this time and surgery will be done from the bottom of my foot, not a top/thru the toe as some have mentioned. Being older and retired I hope the healing process will be the same and without any problems. The stitches back then were all dissolving ones and I only remember wearing the boot for a few weeks, even off crutches in 2 wks. I didn't have any therapy then either. Wish me luck and I'll check in here around April 2 , 2014 to let you all know how it went.
Hi there anonymous... This is Kim and I will keep positive thoughts for a quick recovery! Being that you have had the surgery in the past you are alll ready ahead of the game. The recovery is the biggest unknown and you know what to expect so that is great! Good luck and I'll check in on you in April. I did physical therapy but after the third session tomorrow I will be on my way to wearing a shoe. Remember... Elevate and ice. My next gig will be complete hip replacement on my right hip. At least I'll have an idea what to expect since my first surgery ever was my foot.
12 days after surgery on 2 neuromas on left foot. One small one which an injection probably would have solved and one huge one that the doctor, who did an ultrasound scan on it, said was huge and had to come out. Was told after surgery the huge one was very big indeed. Got bandage off and stitches out yesterday and foot hurt like hell. Today amazingly foot best it's been, even walking slightly on the whole foot. Nurse who took out stitches said the surgeons had done a great job. Don't want to get carried away as thought foot was getting better before only for pain to return with a vengeance. As to what caused my neuroma, having read as much as I could on the condition the only thing I can think of is an old sports injury on the sole of my foot which has , over time caused the neuromas. Apparently neuromas can lie undetected for many years and people don't know they have them. I'm taking things a day at a time but so looking forward to long walks with my gorgeous wee dog and playing fully with my kids. With summer not too far away the prospect of slaving away in my garden sounds just great. So glad there are blogs like this as there has been so little info on what to do after surgery. Not sure when I can return to work but seeing doctor next week and await guidance. Certainly can't go back until I can walk for 8-9 hours without having to rest,which I think is a wee while away .
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