| Author |
Topic: Morton's Neuroma ARGH! |
ShelleyM
Cool Runner |
 posted Nov-15-2007 05:33 AM
   
My foot is hurting more and more. I really think the bunion is causing it. I am feeling that burn starting to come back on my toe. Ugh!! I really want to run again. It's been 1 1/2 year and my legs and thighs are beginning to show the fact that I'm not running anymore. Pod appt. is the 21st.
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bboywannabe
Member |
posted Nov-15-2007 10:31 PM
GOLFNSKIsituation identical to yours
had no idea what was happening
curled toes also
sometimes goes away? BS
what shoes you use?
I use brooks beast motion control
click probably Mulder's click - confirms neuroma
my neuroma from change to extremely tight shoes
maybe yours from too much impact?
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GOLFNSKI
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-16-2007 02:11 AM
I've been running in Keyanos for years. I have two pairs I rotate and I also have a pair of Salomon XCR trail shoes. My initial incident happened in my trail shoes and my worst incident (a few weeks ago) happened in those same shoes so they aren't getting used until this clears up. I had run in the trail shoes for many miles (usually in snow last winter) without problems, and it's not only in those shoes that I have the problem. It's weird; some days it bugs me and some days it doesn't.Now that I've been taped up for a couple days, I find that if I keep shoes on all the time, I don't feel any pain, but if I walk barefoot or in socks, I feel it. I'm going to keep shoes on for a while.
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foxyw
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-16-2007 07:01 AM
GOLFNSKI - I found that my custom orthotics really helped reduce the amount of pain from the neuromas. The tape is probably giving you some arch support that you're not getting from your shoes. Prior to a series of cortisone and alchol shots, the neuroma in my left foot had a significant click which could become quite painful. Good arch support from my orthotics helped to keep the clicking to a minimum. The shots helped to reduce the size of that neuroma but I still get an occasional click - most often when wearing shoes that have too much cushioning or when barefoot.
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GOLFNSKI
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-16-2007 08:28 PM
Thanks for your reply Foxyw.I'm still in Denial. I don't think I have any musculoskeletal problems. How do you run for 25 years and then all of a sudden need orthotics? This has got to be a fluke. Maybe the shoes were to tight or maybe the hard slate and wood floors I've just begun living with (lots of barefoot) have caused this. As somebody mentioned on page 273 or was it 573 of this thread, it's amazing the pods don't seem to be concerned of how the condition occurred. This is mind boggling. I can see lots of people get it from overpronation or musculoskeletal problems. Some people get it from tight shoes. I would think these two scenarios would be looked at differently. So do most people just live with it? I'll jump under the knife before that happens. I'd rather be numb. I wore an old pair of running shoes all day and didn't feel a thing (granted I did walk gingerly) until I took them off and walked barefoot to my closet to get my current pair of running shoes. It wasn't real painful, but bothersome. I then did a 12.5 mile run with no problems. When I got back, I could "feel" the twinge. I had to walk funky to minimize it. I elevated by foot for 30 minutes and continue to walk gingerly. It is going away. I know if I go barefoot it will hurt. FYI - the pod said the tape was to keep my forefoot from spreading. Nothing to do with arches, but that was a good guess. Common sense tells me I should get on crutches for a week or two and this should go away, but the pod says live life normal. I can't comprehend. And since I don't want to quit running, I'm following Drs orders. You can see I'm frustrated. Reading the thread here and some people don't get cured! I've read the alcohol shots cure 70% +/- of mild cases. I go back to the pod Tues. I have a hunch I'll be getting my first shot. I don't have health insurance so I'll opt for the every 5 day treatment (depending on cost). This forum has been very helpful and informative. Did bboywannabe ever get the Cryo?
[This message has been edited by GOLFNSKI (edited Nov-16-2007).]
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bboywannabe
Member |
posted Nov-17-2007 01:07 AM
opposite for me - shoes irritate - barefoot fine
have knee problem I gotta deal with before neuroma but will eventually go for cryo
also need to make sure neuroma between right spot before I travel so far
if go to page 5 - JLFleet's post, she accounts her success with cryo
she saw cryosurgeon I'm going to see
here's vid of procedure in case you missed it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fqalM4EjVE
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Natasja
Member |
posted Nov-17-2007 02:22 AM
For me it was always the shoe that irritated the neuromas, in the end even a sock could do it! Barefoot was the only way to have no pain. Go figure. It also started just out of nowhere, came and went, but the last two years never went away anymore. I do believe that walking, running and hiking in the wrong (too tight) shoes have caused the problems initially.
Now 6 weeks post surgery I am really positive. Yesterday, I walked for the first time since the operation outside, about 2 miles all together, and it was really good, sure, the foot was a bit sore and swollen afterwards, but no neuroma pain and I was able to wear a good fitting shoe, something that I was unable to do for years. I have to say, I wish I had not waited 5 years to do something about it. [This message has been edited by Natasja (edited Nov-17-2007).]
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Baby Blue
Member |
posted Nov-18-2007 02:46 PM
Ok, I haven't posted for a little while now. I'm 3 weeks and 5 days post-op.At my 3 week appt, my dr still didn't like the amount of swelling. The incredible pain in my big toe is caused by neuritis (sp?). I was still having the phantom pain in my 3th and 4th toes from the removal of the neruoma. He said that if the swelling comes down, that will probably help both. He gave me more painkillers (his suggestion), even though most people are done with the narcotic painkillers 2-3 days post-op. The last few days have actually been a milestone, though. I have been able to get around the house without crutches. I have gone out shopping a couple of times in the last few days (and even out to eat). I do need the crutches when I'm out, though, since I still can't get my weight on the front of my foot much. After shopping both times, I came home and each night I slept for 12 straight hours. My dr told me to bring over-sized supportive tennis shoes to my appt on Monday, and it looks like I might be able to start wearing shoes. Plus, it looks like I will be able to start driving sometime this week. yoo hoo The surgery was on my right foot, and my left foot will be done in the future. The more that I get up and around, the more that the left foot is feeling beaten down. My dr wants to wait until the right foot is totally healed before having the left foot surgery. I finally asked him how long of a wait, and he said that we'd better wait for six months or maybe even a year before tackling the left foot. I think that is because the right foor is healing so slowly. Believe it or not, there does seem to be a little, tiny bit of light at the end of the tunnel! [This message has been edited by Baby Blue (edited Nov-18-2007).]
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foxyw
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-18-2007 09:21 PM
Baby Blue - I had surgery on my right foot and my left foot was rather beaten up too, especialy while I was using crutches. I too will most likely need surgery in that foot some time in the future but for now it's not feeling too bad so I will wait to have it done. I felt a whole lot better once I got out of the bootie and into shoes (although they felt like big clown shoes  ). As I got more active, I was sure to periodically ice and elevate my foot. Over the weeks, you will probably find yourself on your feet more and more without even thinking about it. Each morning I could tell that any extra swelling from the evening before was down but I had to step gingerly at first in order to stretch my foot back out. My foot and toes went through a series of aches and pains as the swelling came down and I started walking more normally. It can be a long process for some. From what you've described in your posts, our surgery experience has been quite similar. I wish you the best of luck and glad to hear you say that you're beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel
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Baby Blue
Member |
posted Nov-19-2007 03:16 PM
Thanks, Foxy.3rd post-op appt today - tomorrow will be 4 weeks since the surgery: I went to my appt without crutches (first time outside the house without crutches). My foot was swollen, so I couldn't really get the oversized shoes on that I brought with. I had been hoping to walk out with shoes, but instead, I still had to walk out with the surgical shoe/boot adn heavy-duty Naproxen to try to get the swelling down. As soon as I can wear the shoe (a REAL shoe) comfortably, I will be able to try driving. So I am supposed to ease into it during the next few days. Then I will be back to work. GOLF, you asked if some people just live with the neuoma. I know that some people just feel like something is in their shoe. One of the guys that I work with has that, and he was told that it was MN. He said that it is not painful, and just more of an annoyance. He wears orthotics now. Some of the rest of us missed that step and went right to the pain. I always said that it was like someone was taking a knife across my toes, or even a better description was that someone was cutting my foot and toes with a burning hot, electrically charged knife. So, you can see why some of us NEED to get it taken care of while some do have an option. And like you, I asked my dr if there was anything that I could do to help it or to stop it from getting worse, and he told me to continue to live as normal and do the best I could. Nothing that I did was going to make it worse or better, short of trying the orthotics (which I was already wearing prior to the neuroma) and the cortisone and later alcohol shots.
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jessicas921
Member |
posted Nov-19-2007 07:15 PM
quote:
Originally posted by nailgun:
I have what i think is a neuroma between my first and second toe. been to pod did corti shot, then therapy. Corti worked short term then did thrapy for 4 weeks 2 - 3 times a week. expensive and only minor help. Then pod decided i needed custom orthotics to keep weight off of metatarsal area. been trying the orthots but causing me more pain in different areas of foot. Controlling original pain but causing even more pain..not happy. Went back to pod who made an adjustment to orthotic ( 3 weeks for a felt pad ) still unable to wear orthotic for more than 4 hours and the adjustment pad keeps moving i have to unstick it and put it back where i think he placed it.....
going back to pod tomorrow to discuss........
also have an appointment next week at a cryo place by me.....
I think my whole problem was originally caused by nike shox shoes which were to narrow but will never know..........
let you know how i make out.......
I was so suprised to see your posting. I feel bad because you are having all this trouble....but as I was reading your post I just kept thinking how I could have written it! My story is exactly the same. Please keep us/me posted as to what happens to you. I'm so frustrated!!! I'm a nurse and on my feet all day...this is very bad. It's so debilitating. It seems like no treatment is 100%. I'm so discouraged and depressed about it. So far I have just had one cortisone shot and my orthotics kill my feet. (They help alleviate pressure from neuroma, but hurt the rest of my feet) After reading all of these postings I just don't know what to do. Anyone with any advice please let me know. Thank you!
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RudeRod
Member |
posted Nov-19-2007 09:40 PM
Today is 18 days, or two and half weeks, post neuroma surgery.Background, as my previous postings explained, Nov. 1st I had a neuroma removed from between my 2nd and 3rd toes on my left foot. The neuroma was the size of a raisin. The incision was from the top of the foot. The neuroma had been causing me pain for over a year but finally stopped me from running or hiking since the 4th of July. I've been limping since then to avoid the clicking I'd feel each step if I walked normal. I've been cycling steadily since two days after surgery. The past week, I have very little pain even during intense cycling. I've been doing some mountain biking which used to cause a great deal of pain but now I'm pretty much pain free. Today I cycled 25 miles on the road, put on my running shoes, jumped on the treadmill and ran three miles. I started out slowly at first, then after a quarter mile I was running at my normal training pace and kept it there for the rest of the three miles. I did start to feel some discomfort in the area of the neuroma, but it was totally different then the neuroma pain. It's been a couple hours since I ran now and there is no swelling and no pain. In fact, I've noticed that the more I use the foot, the better it feels. I am so happy to be running again. It feels so good to not have the pain from the neuroma, to walk without limping and now I'm already planning another Grand Canyon Hike. I would highly recommend the surgery to someone suffering from a neuroma, I wish I had done this months ago instead of trying the shots as the recovery was so quick. Rod
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GOLFNSKI
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-19-2007 11:37 PM
Congratulations Rod! I think my situation is similar to yours. Occasionally limping to avoid clicking, etc. I go to the pod tomorrow. Not sure how I will proceed yet. I've got a couple marathons on the schedule that I'd like to tackle first. My pain isn’t debilitating. It comes and goes. If it gets bad, I’ll get cut the next day. I wonder if I should try the alcohol just for the potential easy fix. The only thing that concerns me is reading in this thread of how the post injection swelling and irritation may hinder my training.BabyBlue,
Way to persevere. You’ve got a good attitude about this. I hope you’re back on the links soon. If you get to SLC, come play a round at my club. Cheers.
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ShelleyM
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-20-2007 05:18 AM
Rod-That's great! I hope you can continue to run pain free.I have started run/walk again. I am getting a shooting pain in my big toe, which may or not be associated with my bunion. I'm thinking about forgetting about the surgery for right now and just try to run without doing any major long runs and not do it 2 days in a row. My pod appt. is Wed. I will have to tell him that I have starting running a bit.
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jessicas921
Member |
posted Nov-20-2007 02:24 PM
quote:
Originally posted by RudeRod:
Today is 18 days, or two and half weeks, post neuroma surgery.Background, as my previous postings explained, Nov. 1st I had a neuroma removed from between my 2nd and 3rd toes on my left foot. The neuroma was the size of a raisin. The incision was from the top of the foot. The neuroma had been causing me pain for over a year but finally stopped me from running or hiking since the 4th of July. I've been limping since then to avoid the clicking I'd feel each step if I walked normal. I've been cycling steadily since two days after surgery. The past week, I have very little pain even during intense cycling. I've been doing some mountain biking which used to cause a great deal of pain but now I'm pretty much pain free. Today I cycled 25 miles on the road, put on my running shoes, jumped on the treadmill and ran three miles. I started out slowly at first, then after a quarter mile I was running at my normal training pace and kept it there for the rest of the three miles. I did start to feel some discomfort in the area of the neuroma, but it was totally different then the neuroma pain. It's been a couple hours since I ran now and there is no swelling and no pain. In fact, I've noticed that the more I use the foot, the better it feels. I am so happy to be running again. It feels so good to not have the pain from the neuroma, to walk without limping and now I'm already planning another Grand Canyon Hike. I would highly recommend the surgery to someone suffering from a neuroma, I wish I had done this months ago instead of trying the shots as the recovery was so quick. Rod
Rod,
Do you have the post op numbness that people have experienced. Some people have said it's not a problem at all and others have said that it makes their feet feel completely abnormal or that it affects their gait and balance. Thoughts?
Jess
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jessicas921
Member |
posted Nov-20-2007 07:07 PM
Ok, so here goes my story.......
I had surgery on my left foot for a bunion in January of 2007. Healing time was as expected and I did fine all spring, summer, and most of fall. Then around October I started to notice this pain in the bottom of my left foot. (2nd ball, the one behind 2nd toe). I wrapped it thinking it was due to my bunionectomy, but it just got progessively worse. I should tell you I'm not a runner...not in the least bit! I am however a nurse that is on her feet all day. So I went to the doctor...he did xrays...they didnt' show anything so he diagnosed a neuroma. I had my first cortisone injection about 4 weeks ago. With that I had approx 25% relief. As a nurse I know most of the times these only mask the pain. It eventually comes back. I've read all of your blogs (which thank you so much for) and have been trying to come to a decision as to what to do next. Do I do the alcohol injections and chance it or go straight for the surgery? I asked my doctor's opinion (plastic surgeon I work for who does alot of hand surgeries, not feet). His only thought about the injections was that with an injection you have to "hope" you are int he right spot. With the surgery you can visualize the nerve. My thought is less down time with the injections and much more down time with the surgery. This is so debilitating and depressing! I'm in tears every day becaue I can't do the things I like to do? How do you all get through the day to day activities? Will I ever be able to wear pretty shoes again or walk my dog? Anybody's suggestions are very welcomed! I thank you all for what you have all ready posted and hope you are all doing well in your therapy/treatments. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
--Jess
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jessicas921
Member |
posted Nov-20-2007 07:11 PM
ONE MORE THING!!
Did any of you experience the numbness after your alcohol injections and/or surgery? If so, does it bother you at all? I'm very concerned that the permanent numbness may be just as bad as the neuroma. (Not pain wise, but the fact that it may alter my walking or ability to wear nice dress shoes.)
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foxyw
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-20-2007 07:49 PM
I didn't have any numbness that I could notice after the alcohol injections on either foot. I definitely have numbness following surgery but it is not really bothersome. It feels weird, but the weird feeling is definitely preferable to the nasty neuroma pain I experienced. I had surgery on my right foot. The numbness is mostly on the right side of my third toe.
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chicahuss
Member |
posted Nov-20-2007 10:18 PM
Hello all,Glad to hear people are making good recoveries with their surgeries. Jessica, I know your decision is a tough one. For me personally, I really wish I had gotten surgery and not dealt with all these shots. But I'm sure if I would have had success with the shots (statistics say 65% of people do), then I would be singing a different tune. I am very frustrated with my feet right now. The entire side of my left foot is completely inflamed, not including the neuroma part. I talked to another doc today, and he does not think it is another nerve as I feared (THANK GOD!!!). He thinks my bones, tissues, tendons, etc. are all inflamed because of the changed way in which I walk. He thinks things will improve once I get my right neuroma out. One can only hope...
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chicahuss
Member |
posted Nov-20-2007 10:28 PM
Okay folks, I have a quick (well I guess it is rather long) question about surgery methods. I need to decide which method to use.Did you all do the dorsal (above the foot) approach, or did any of you try the plantar approach (below the foot)? My doctor said he will do either on me, but he prefers the plantar approach. I went for a 2nd opinion today, and that doctor prefers the plantar approach also. I was surprised because it seems all the research supports the dorsal approach. The doctor I saw today claims that the plantar approach has cut his recurrence rate in half 15% to 7% and he has done over 1000 surgeries. He also said that it is not true that scar tissue will cause problems on the bottom of the foot. He also said it is a more direct surgery, and you can cut further back without having to cut any other tissues like you would from the top of the foot. Finally he said that he thinks that even though the first three weeks of recovery are much tougher, after that it is easier because there is less swelling. Have any of you discussed these ideas with your doctors or read any of this doing research? Please let me know what you have heard so I can make an informed decision. My doctor feels comfortable doing either, and I am leaning towards the dorsal approach still, but I have a few weeks to think it over and make a decision.
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GranolaGal
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-20-2007 10:31 PM
quote:
Originally posted by jessicas921:
....So I went to the doctor...he did xrays...they didnt' show anything so he diagnosed a neuroma...
--Jess
Hi Jessica, It looks like in what you wrote above, your doctor might have diagnosed your neuroma by process of elimination. I know I don't know the whole story here, but my doctor diagnosed me by first listening to my symptoms, and then feeling the characteristic pop of MN. Do you feel that characteristic pop? Did your doctor feel it? Anyway, good luck in whatever you do.
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GranolaGal
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-20-2007 10:36 PM
quote:
Originally posted by jessicas921:
ONE MORE THING!!
Did any of you experience the numbness after your alcohol injections and/or surgery? If so, does it bother you at all? I'm very concerned that the permanent numbness may be just as bad as the neuroma. (Not pain wise, but the fact that it may alter my walking or ability to wear nice dress shoes.)
I had the injections and yes, I experienced the numbness after some of the shots. I had seven of them. The numbness, when I did have it, was always gone by the next day. It has been about three weeks since my last shot, and I don't feel any negative after effects from the shots in my opinion. I do, however, still have some pain and discomfort at times, but not nearly what it was.
[This message has been edited by GranolaGal (edited Nov-20-2007).]
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Natasja
Member |
posted Nov-21-2007 12:08 AM
Chicahuss - I had two neuroma's removed in the same foot with the dorsal approach almost 7 weeks ago. As I wrote earlier the first weeks were not easy, but now I am doing quite well. Maybe because it were two neuromas,
but I was surprised by the down time.
My orthopedic surgeon did not give me any choice as he was only willing to perform the surgery using the dorsal approach. How ever when I researched prior surgery all the options I read that the planter approach is quite common now, if not even more often used.
I'm not sure that this is of much help...
Good luck with your surgery!
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Natasja
Member |
posted Nov-21-2007 12:14 AM
Jessica - Re the numbness - I had the surgery and two neuroma's removed in the same foot 7 weeks ago. Initially the numbness was a bit odd and it was definitely worse just after the surgery. I find that it bothers me not much at all, and I have already gotten use to it. It's also not like you lose all feeling, that was something I was afraid and worried about prior surgery. But it turned out to be really not much of an issue.
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ShelleyM
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-21-2007 05:01 AM
Jesica-The numbness from the alcohol injections doesn't bother me. My 2nd and 3rd toe kind of sit together on my foot now, which feels a little wierd. Good luck with whatever you decide. My neuroma was diagnosed by an MRI and by the podiatrist squeezing and pressing until he would see me cringe. I also had the popping.
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