| Author |
Topic: Morton's Neuroma ARGH! |
RudeRod
Member |
 posted Nov-21-2007 05:26 AM
   
Jessica, the numbness in my toes doesn't bother me at all. In fact, the only time I notice it is when I wash my feet while showering.The Pod chose the dorsal approach due to my activity level. He said the plantar approach would slow recovery and may leave scar tissue that would bother me while cycling, hiking or running. My Pod used some kind of ultrasound to locate the neuroma and never used x-rays. I definitely recommend the surgery. The incision is barely noticable and it's been three weeks tomorrow. A little tightness in the foot is about all I have now. I limp a little still while walking but my run gait is normal as far as I can tell.
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jessicas921
Member |
posted Nov-21-2007 11:50 AM
quote:
Originally posted by GranolaGal:
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.
I don't have the characteristic "pop" that you have mentioned, but I will as my pod. I have an appointment with him today. I'm thinking of going right for the surgery. I don't think I am patient enough to mess around with the shots. I'll keep you posted. THANKS!!!
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jessicas921
Member |
posted Nov-21-2007 03:49 PM
Update:
I went to my podiatrist today and he gave me my 2nd cortisone injection. He's making me go through all of the steps before I get surgery. This is what I all have to do and fail before he will perform surgery: cortisone shots, ETOH shots, ligament release surgery, then neuroma surgery. UGH! This is so frustrating! Hope everyone else is doing well. 
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foxyw
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-21-2007 04:12 PM
Jessica - you may be one of the lucky ones that finds relief with the cortisone and alcohol shots. I understand from your post that your doc would do the ligament release surgery before the surgery to remove the neuroma. If I were you, I would seek a second opinion before having the ligament release surgery and make sure that the doc you choose has a lot of experience with this procedure. It's worth reading up about the ligament release surgery. My doc thought my neuroma troubles warranted surgery as opposed to the ligament release, though early on we thought we might try the ligament release. In the dorsal approach to the neuroma removal, they cut this ligament which allows them to reach and remove the neuroma. It turns out that I had adhesions around the neuroma that had to be dealt with in addition to just removing the neuroma so the ligament release only might not have been enough. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
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jessicas921
Member |
posted Nov-21-2007 04:53 PM
Thank you so much for everyone's thoughts and advice!
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Baby Blue
Member |
posted Nov-22-2007 10:02 AM
Jessica,
I'm 4 wks 2 days post-op for bunion and neuroma surgery. I also didn't feel the click or the pop (at least not until towasrds the end of my alcohol shots). I got some relief with the cortisone - enough to let me do daily functions and golf (I'm also not a runner). Because of the relief from the cortisone, my dr said that I was a good candidate for the alcohol shots. I'm not sure why that was. I completely trust my dr and I'm confident that he always got the right spot. He would continue to move the needle around until I got a very sharp shooting pain to to bottom of my foot. Then, he injected. He told me (and an anesthesioligist in training) that was the trick to knowing that the shot was in the right spot.I had several bad reactions to the alcohol shots (and one VERY bad reaction to the cortisone). Sometimes, it took days before I could put pressure on that part of the foot (2 weeks for the bad cortisone shot). And I am a "bleeder," in that I have a vein or blood vessel or something that was right there wih the neuroma, so I had some shots where my foot completely bruised. The alcohol did cause numbness, but the numbness is preferable to the pain. The alcohol did work, but the neuroma was too large and had encompassed the nerve branches, so I still needed the surgery (he couldn't tell that until he was in for surgery). All in all, I would do the alcohol shots again in a heartbeat, if there was a chance of avoiding surgery. The surgery recovery is tougher than I expected, but everything is finally coming around. (I drove for the first time yesterday!! I did have both bunion and neuroma surgery.) I can tell that I will have numbness, but I'm completely ok with that. Right now I'm still dealing with phantom pain. This is diminishing, but I can't wait until I get to the point of complete numbness!  My dr gave me a 60-70% chance that the alcohol shots would work. That's pretty good odds. GOLF, thanks for the invite! No current plans on getting to SLC, but you never know... I may takey ou up on that some day! ========== New strange sensation after surgery. As the phantom pain is going away, I am noticing that if I touch the bottom of my foot, it feels like there is a string attached to the tip of my 4th toe and is tugging it. I feel like it's on a puppet string. Weird....
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jessicas921
Member |
posted Nov-22-2007 08:07 PM
BABYBLUE--
I had my 2nd cortisone injection yesterday. My foot is KILLING me! The first time he injected me he injected on the dorsal side only. The 2nd time he injected by dorsal and plantar approach, so I think that is why my foot is so sore. I really hope I am one of the lucky ones that injections work for. I too had the bunionectomy and was laid up for a while with that. I don't want to have to be laid up again like I was with that. The one good thing is that this is all happening on my left foot and not my right, so I can still drive! I would feel even more helpless if I couldn't drive. Thanks for your words of encouragement and sharing your story.
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ShelleyM
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-23-2007 06:53 AM
I went to the pod on Wed. He gave me the option of surgery or running. I opted for running. He says he will do the surgery whenever I am ready. My foot will continue to get worse. I did a 6 miles run/walk yesterday, mostly running. I am definitly hurting, mostly in the big toe, but it is radiating toward the 3rd toe. The 2nd is still numb and no hurting there. I decided I can't afford the surgery right now. I didn't know it would have to be done at the hospital, so there will be a facility charge in addition to the surgery fees. Anyway, I will start running again, but only mildly and not 2 days in a row. Good luck to all.
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jessicas921
Member |
posted Nov-24-2007 04:43 PM
quote:
Originally posted by runawayjesse:
I'm telling you, guys posture control insoles are wher it's at. I have sufferend with neruroma for years and years. I have been through it all injections etc...Doctors know nothing about this. At least give the site a read.Most people have Mortons neuroma bacuase their first metersel is either raised or short. The solution is as simple as getting the groud to that metersal eariler in the gait cycle. Bingo you no longer pinch that nerve anymore. No lie I haven't had pain since I tried these things and that was over a year ago. In fact I forget what MN even feels like. At least give this site a read-
http://www.posturedyn.com/posturecontrolinsoles.html And I swear I have nothing to do with this vendor. I'm just simple amazed with this product!
I took your advice....I just bought a pair. My custom orthotics were way to painful to wear. I hope these give me the relief I need.
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ShelleyM
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-25-2007 06:53 AM
I tried those insoles and they didn't work for me. I hope they help others.
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Baby Blue
Member |
posted Nov-26-2007 12:45 PM
I had problems wearing orthotics when the neuromas got bad, too. The custom orthotics helped the bunion, so when I couldn't wear them, the bunion started hurting again. My dr told me to pick up 3/4 size superfeet insoles, and he beefed them up with felt. They worked pretty good, but I could still only wear them for about half of the day before they were too much for the neuromas to take. He said any time wearing them was better than nothing.I used the easy fit: http://www.superfeet.com/products/
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RudeRod
Member |
posted Nov-26-2007 08:47 PM
Post Surgery Update:Three and a half weeks(25 days) Post Neuroma Surgery. Last Friday after Thanksgiving was supposed to be my first outdoor run as the Monday prior to that I did a 3.1 mile run on the treadmill and did fine, albeit a slow careful pace. Due to high winds I was back on the treadmill again Friday. This time I did 6.2 miles. No foot pain to speak of, only a little tightness in the surgery area starting out, and since I could just stop if there was pain, I ran at a pretty good pace. Today, 25 days after surgery, I ran 6.5 miles on the road. Absolutely no foot pain. A very little tightness in the surgery area that went away in less than a couple hundred yards. The foot actually felt better after the run than before I started. It's been 3 hours since the run and there is no sign of swelling and no pain. The incision area is healing nicely. The only thing noticable now is the numbness on the insides of the 2nd and 3rd toes where the neuroma was removed, and this is only noticed when I touch the toes usually while bathing. Another thing, I went for a rather long 62 mile bike ride with 3000 feet of climbing yesterday... I haven't been able to do that for over 6 months without a great deal of pain. If there is any change in the my recovery, I'll post a followup, otherwise this should be the final post surgery update. My only problem now is all the other sore muscles in my legs from not running for 4-1/2 months while trying the corti-steroid and alcohol injections. Rod [This message has been edited by RudeRod (edited Nov-26-2007).]
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kinsav
Member |
posted Nov-27-2007 04:45 PM
quote:
Originally posted by motherof4:
I know all of you are trying to avoid surgery, but if it does come to that.....I say don't be afaird. It was well worth it for me and I wish I did it sooner. I went to aorthopedist who only does feet and ankels and he did and great job. I was running, skiing, tennis, spinning...everything in 6-8 weeks. My only advice is to make sure you get this resolved quickly as I ended up with a stress fracture from over compensating with my other leg. I ran with the neuroma for 6 months and pushed through pain. My pain would start at mile 2 and continue to where my foot went numb after 14 miles, this allowed my to continue my marathon training. I wish I hadn't waited so long after I realized the cortizone shots didn't work. Good Luck!
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kinsav
Member |
posted Nov-27-2007 04:54 PM
I had surgery 3 weeks ago on both feet to remove painful neuromas between 3rd and 4th metatarsal. I keep reading of people who were running, skiing, biking 6-8 weeks out. I still have pain - almost a pins and needles or shock wave of pain- when I step on the ball of my left foot. Seems to be coming from just beneath the ball, maybe directly on the ball of the foot. I am wearing surgical shoes on both feet, but I still feel it. I am just very frustrated and concerned that I will not walk without pain again, much less run!! I am an avid triathlete and getting pretty upset about this outcome. I am curious how others have felt at 3 weeks vs 6 or more. Is what I am feeling normal for 3 weeks post-op? Can I expect that much improvement in 3 weeks? Thanks for any feedback!!!
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Natasja
Member |
posted Nov-27-2007 06:56 PM
Kinsav - I am now 7 weeks post surgery, I had two neuromas removed from the same foot.
I was at three weeks not much different as you are now, but I did get some steady but slow progress over the weeks to follow. The pain that you described is normal and will cease in time.
Now at 7 weeks, I can walk outside for small distances (max 2 miles), but only in very cushioned running shoes. I can also do some exercise on the stationary bike, but only for max 25 minutes. It's my understanding that this is a perfectly normal recovery time and that it all together can take many months before things are truly normal again. I still ice my foot once a day or so after I've been long on my feet to keep the swelling done.Those magic speedy recoveries are really rather rare in my opinion, the majority of us go through a much longer recovery time. I think that that you are doing really fine considering the time frame, and yes, in a few weeks you will absolutely see some progress. Just aim to be able to hike, run, or whatever in a few more months and take the time to recover well. Best of luck!
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foxyw
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-27-2007 08:17 PM
Kinsav - I had surgery on my right foot. I was back at work within 2.5 weeks but I was moving very slowly and my foot was still quite swollen. Luckily my employer was quite understanding and let me rest and ice my foot as needed. The doc said it was ok to start wearing regular shoes (I used running shoes that were about 1 size bigger than I normally wear) after 3.5 or 4 weeks. It took about two months to comfortably get back into my normal size shoes. For some, the recovery is very quick but for many people it can take several months to be back to normal. As you start to become more active, your feet will tell you when they've had enough and will therefore set the pace for your recovery. Lots of rest, icing, and elevation helped me. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
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kinsav
Member |
posted Nov-28-2007 07:34 AM
Thank you so much for the feedback on recovery from neuroma surgery. I can't tell you how much I appreciate hearing similar experiences with later improvement. You guys have given me some hope that this is going to be worth it and I will run and bike again. Best of luck to you all, too, for continued progress!!
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jessicas921
Member |
posted Nov-28-2007 06:14 PM
I went for my 2nd opinion today. This podiatrist wasn't convinced it was a neuroma so much as it might be just nerve entrapment. He said if I can get the nerve to quiet down enough it would be unlikely I need surgery. He said to do this by buying thick inserts for my shoes and cutting a hole in the area of the nerve pain to make a "donut." That way the nerve won't be irritated constantly and can heal better. I'm off to buy some cheap inserts for my shoes. I hope this helps!
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Baby Blue
Member |
posted Nov-29-2007 03:45 PM
Kinsav, at 3 weeks I was still having horrible phantom pain, due to the swelling. I am 5 weeks and 2 days out of surgery (bunion and neuroma) and I am having more pain from the neuroma than the bunion. It is better than it was, though.Back to work this week, and things are going ok. I'm still having problems with the "puppet feeling" where the neuroma was. Has anyone else had this problem???? When I touch the bottom of my foot (ball of foot, pad, whatever it's called), I feel a sensation that shoots up to the tip of my 4th toe. It feels like there is a puppet string attached to the end of the toe and it is being yanked. Not really painful, just weird. When I walk, I do get the same thing, only with pain. I am finding that I am walking on the outside of my foot to avoid putting pressure on that part of my foot. It hasn't been 6 weeks yet, so I'm hoping that this is just still from the swelling, but I'm beginning to doubt it. I had a lot of pain on that part of the foot post-op, so I couldn't put any pressure on it at all. I was on crutches for 4 weeks, but part of that was probably because my "good" foot also needs surgery, and the crutches were good added support. Right before surgery, my dr told me that if this didn't work, we'd go back in through the bottom of my foot. I really don't want to go through this again. Has anyone else had that sensation?
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chicahuss
Member |
posted Nov-29-2007 04:36 PM
Baby Blue,I can't answer your question, but I will say a prayer that all this is just the swelling, and that your surgery worked!!! It sounds like you are at least back on your feet, so that is good. I'm sorry this is such a long road for everyone. I'm trying to get everything ready for my surgery. I keep hearing from all of you about how you continue to ice many weeks out. So I'm wondering if you bought some type of strap on ice contraption. Currently I just put both of my feet on a bag of frozen peas, but after the surgery, I will obviously need to keep my right foot elevated. What do you all use to ice and elevate at the same time, especially if you are at a place like work. I'm also going to order a castguard and get some extra big shoes. Let me know if there is anything else essential? Thanks
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foxyw
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-29-2007 05:18 PM
Baby Blue - I had quite a bit of pain toward the outside edge of my foot immediately after surgery. If I touched the bottom of my foot the pain radiated to the right side of the fourth toe on my right foot. I believe that the onset of that pain was from the swelling from the surgery. If I touched the ball of my foot I felt a significant twang in my toe. It took a long time for that twang to subside and I still have some pain there after I've been on my feet for a few hours. I can still get it to buzz/twang sometimes. My gut feeling is that I have a new neuroma in the 4th/5th space. I hope this isn't the case with you. Certainly all of the swelling can make your foot do funny things.Chicahuss - I purchased an ice pack with a pocket for the reusable pack and a strap with velcro so it can easily be attached to the foot. This ice pack gets particularly cold so I have to wear a sock on my foot when using it. It was about $10 from CVS (our local pharmacy).
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jessicas921
Member |
posted Nov-29-2007 09:11 PM
Baby Blue--After I had my bunion surgery I had a similar sensation, from what I understand from you. My sensation was of what I would call a "zinger." It was on the bottom of my big toe and if I touched in just the right spot it shot a "zinger"right through to the top my big toe! It would send me almost straight out of the chair! I would say after about 6-8 weeks it was gone. When you have surgery some nerve endings are damaged and they have to repair themselves. I think that it what I had. If it is the same thing you have...it will go away. Good luck to you!I wore my posture dynamic inserts for the first time today and my foot feels great!!! I worked 10 hours today for a doctor that keeps you moving (I'm a nurse) and my foot didn't bother me once. I still noticed it was achy, but never the pain you get with every step. I haven't had a day like this is so long. I'm trying not to be to overly ecstatic so i'm not that confident that it was all due to the insoles. Probably a combination of the insoles and cortisone injections I've had. I hope this continues, though, because I can't wait for this to be over!
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katnipct
Member |
posted Nov-30-2007 05:28 AM
Finished with my last alcohol injections a few weeks ago. Not too sure if it's done the trick or not. My foot does feel sensitive if I walk around the house barefoot, so I always wear my Crocs. I am not a runner, but have recently joined a gym and am using the treadmill. It also seems to be irritating it a bit. Sort of feels like I have no "cushioning" of fat under my foot anymore. Has anyone else experienced this?
I still am not crazy about surgery. Is there anyone who has tried accupuncture ?
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kinsav
Member |
posted Nov-30-2007 07:16 PM
Baby Blue - I think the sensation you are having is the same that I am feeling. Someone called it "zinger" and that is a good term - when I am sitting and I flex my foot or touch the ball or beneath it, it isn't so much painful as almost a shock or a quick bolt like your foot is asleep; but when you step on it or have been on your foot a while it is pain. My doc and my family - all of whom are trying to keep me from giving up! - say it is going to take longer to heal because I had bilateral surgery and I am on my feet a lot (very type A, and 3 kids!). I also tried to bike a little (12 miles -which I did not think was much, but apparently my doc did) and got on the elliptical (no good) so maybe I aggravated it. If your other foot is also not strong, you may be in the same boat - too much pressure on irritated nerves. My doc also went through the top of the foot and said any second surgery (ugh! little chance for me!) would be through the bottom. I have a friend who had the plantar (bottom) approach and he was miserable - did not get out of the bed for 3 weeks ... and I hear it makes any future running uncomfortable. I have read that cryosurgery can be used to treat unsuccessful surgery outcomes. Anyone had this? Try to keep positive though. I know how hard it can be when you are hurting this far out. I hope we will have some good news for each other in the future. Best of luck to you!!!!
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bboywannabe
Member |
posted Nov-30-2007 08:44 PM
katnipct
too much cortisone will cause fat pad of foot to atrophykinsav
go to page 5 for recount of someone who did cryo
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