Confused after Morton’s Neuroma Surgery

I was told the same thing and NO still in alot of PAIN I thought the pain before was bad... this pain is worse. I went for thyrapy for 2 months @ $60.00 a visit 5days aweek my Dr said scar tissue...I was doing same things the Therapest did and more and there was no change. I had both feet done.... so sorry I did it,, I rub my feet every night I put heat and Ice... foot soaks, Good luck 

Check for another neuroma. Your story is mine. No one believed me. Or thought enough for an MRI I got another doc to prescribe an MRI I wanna throw the results in his face. Stump neuroma!! I just read technique is everything. U have to use a very new sharp scapel and imbed in muscle. Mine burnt the edge. He was supposed to be the best ortho around.

I've had MN on both feet for over 4 years. They operated on one foot 2 years ago which made the pain worse, and afterwards they said they had removed the neuroma and there was nothing there to cause the pain. I then moved hospitals to a different consultant. After numerous MRI scans, ultra scans, injections they too couldn't find anything, but they persisted. Finally after 2 years of tests, one specialist on the ultra scan team finally found neuromas on both feet, each approx16mm diameter. I had the operation 2 days ago on both feet, but I can already feel it was a success. They operated from the top of one foot and the underneath of the other and I'm in nowhere near as much pain as I was 2 years ago after the first operation. Moral begind this is make sure your consultant is a good one, and one that will persist to find the problem. Apparently a neuroma can be like finding a snowball in the snow,

I had neuroma surgery back in June 2014. I was hurting so bad. My toe just throbbed. At the same time I had a bunionectomy and and a tarsal tunnel release and my little toe moved over. I returned to week using a knee scooter to get around about a week later. Months passed the pain seemed worse so I found another dr. that was suppose to have a new procedure that was to tuck the nerve inside the muscle. He also did another tarsal tunnel release going up to the top of my calf . After a few months I realized it made things worse. Now it is 2017 I have been going to a pain specialist who has told me he thinks I have crps. I had an emg to rule out periphreal neuropathy and it said there was none present. I am having mris brain , neck , back etc to look for other causes for pain. Like so many I have the swelling , tightning on my foot . Pain on the bottom of my foot. My big toe throbs all the way to the tendon attached. Also my 2nd toe throbs so I am guessing maybe that is where the nerve is trapped. My Dr. says he thinks a small fibrous nerve is to blame. would not be seen on a emg . I have also had electrical shocks in both legs . I have stinging that goes on in my foot. I also have pain in the ball of my other foot. My painmgmt has me on gabapentin and I take meds for depression , Also I take meloicam and tylenol 3 with codien. My dr. is talking to me about an pain stimulator implant. I am not sure it is what I want to do yet. It is an implant and I have read a few things negative on it.

I had just found this and wanted to share  :

Morton’s Neuroma: Controversial to Say the Least

by aoeditor | Jan 25, 2012 | Uncategorized | 135 comments

What really pushed me over the edge when it came to Morton’s Neuroma (MN) was watching Steven Tyler on OWN. During his interview with Oprah (okay, I saw it with my wife – her idea!), I realized one, that he’s an awesome dude, but two, he is mislead in thinking his problem is just a MN… he showed one of his “dogs” right there on TV, and a MN, even if he has one, is the least of his worries!

First of all, a MN is not a neuroma at all… and, Morton did not describe Morton’s neuroma! What tha…? Technically speaking, it is perineural fibrosis, sort of a misplaced overgrown protective “scar” tissue surrounding and compressing an otherwise normal nerve. And this choking effect of the common digital nerve is what produces the pain. Durlacher described “Morton’s” neuroma, but I guess Morton’s neuroma sounded better. I’m certain it is easier to spell.

So, what does MN feel like? It is bottom-of-the-foot, or plantar, pain that usually comes on very slowly — months to years — and never is a result of injury or trauma. At first the pain is vague, and difficult to describe or localize, but in time, over a period of months to years, it will localize and the ability to describe the pain sharpens. You may or may not have numbness or shooting pains out into the associated toes.

Common and characteristic complaints are increased pain with tighter shoes, the urge to take ones shoe off and rub the foot, and/or the feeling that there is a fold in the sock, when there isn’t. It’s a nerve thing. The exam is defined by re-creation of the pain with palpation in the web space and possibly eliciting a pain reproducing Mulder’s click.

When I see a patient and I suspect a MN, it becomes a diagnosis of exclusion, especially if it is in the second web space. This means that all other prospects/suspects are ruled out first, usually by history and exam. BTW, a Morton’s neuroma may “feel” like swelling on the bottom of your foot, but that’s a sense that many get from numbness anywhere. However, actual, real swelling never accompanies MN. Never. The only other diagnostic test available is a diagnostic injection with or without cortisone.

Treatments range from living with it, to surgery. Sorry, but my focus here is not for treatment, but I will make a few brief comments below.

Here is the point. There are three things you don’t know about MN that you might need to know. This is not science and is the culmination of 26 years of experience and observation.

1. An MRI is not a valid diagnostic test for MN!

Let me make this clear, an MRI is in no way able to aide in the diagnosis of a MN. If your doctor suspects a MN and suggests an MRI to “confirm” the diagnosis, or you already have an MRI “positive” for a MN and surgery is suggested based on this info, RUN. In deference to this, if your doc is struggling with the diagnosis of a possible MN and suggests an MRI to help better define other potential problems, then an MRI is probably okay. This gets back to the rule out/diagnosis of exclusion thing. Ultrasound is questionable as well. Here’s the thing, no matter what diagnostic test we use, it is our responsibility to connect the dots. It is called clinical correlation.

2. There is no such thing as “recurrence” of a MN after a surgical excision.

I have always wanted to say that because it’s so controversial and offbeat, but true. Man-o-shevitz, it feels so good to get that off my chest. So what is a “recurrence?” This is simply a case of your pre-op pain returning after surgical excision, or code for: your neuroma grew back. Somehow use of the word “recurrence” makes this failure seem more like magic or bad luck or maybe the patient’s fault. On the other hand, it also implies this is not the doctor’s fault.

The truth is, according to the AO, return of your pain post-op falls into two categories. Misdiagnosis and failure to actually remove a bonafide MN. Accurate diagnosis of a MN by a specialist can be difficult and is at best 95% accurate. That means that when I take you to the operating room, I will be wrong 5% of the time about your diagnosis. Sorry, but that is the best I can do, and I make sure every one of my patients know that. Incomplete removal or no removal at all (air ball, air ball, etc.) is the reason for “recurrence” when there actually is a MN. When the nerve is cut, what results is an true amputation neuroma and if it is left in the WB area you will continue to have pain just like or worse than you had prior to surgery. And if there is an air ball, well, that speaks for itself. When it comes to surgery, get a solid diagnosis and pick an experienced fellowship trained surgeon.

3. Calf stretching might be the answer to MN.

I have found through serendipity that consistent, daily, dedicated calf stretching relieves the pain from MN in about 60% of cases. This is anecdotal for sure, but this surprise in my practice has saved a lot of surgeries. While I have theories as to why this might be true, let’s just say that it is intriguing and would really be awesome if it bears out. Who knows, maybe some smart guy will come along and prove me wrong…or right.

Can you give us an update? I have similar problems after having both MNs removed 3 months ago. I'm in more pain now than before! I was hoping you had good news.

Hi. I had 2 very successful neuroma surgeries ; one on top of my left foot 6 years ago along with a bunion and had no issues other than 6 years later it came back. The next time (2 months ago)he went through The bottom . I was non weight bearing for 2 weeks and by the beginning of week 3 I was in a normal shoe and even boots with a heel. I have always felt a slight neuroma on the right but it wasn't bad. From putting pressure on it from the no weight bearing it flared up worse. It definately could have been manageable but I figured I did so well with the others that I wanted the same surgeon bc I really trusted him.He knew I was moving out of state in 6 weeks . This was more painful than the others after surgery when I walked on it . I was probably too active bc of the move. When he told his assistant to take out the stitches the wound gaped open so now I have a big hole in my foot plus a completely numb toe that just flops around . I guess some of this is my fault bc I was on it more than I should have been bc the other surgeries went so well (it figures that this is the one I didn't worry about ) He did want to go on the bottom again but I didn't feel I could take the time to be non weight bearing . I wish I had done that bc I would have absolutely stayed off it and now I'm over 2 weeks anyway with big problems . Now he is saying if it ((the gaping wound ) doesn't heal he may have to cut around it and stitch it back together and calls this a minor setback???He seems more worried about the scar and I am worried about permanent nerve damage since my toe feels dead . I am so stressed out bc I don't even know what will happen once I try a regular shoe . Afraid I will have chronic pain . Now I'm supposed to "take it easy "when I have an out of state move in 4 weeks . Even though I did well before there is always a risk of complications and as my Dr I feel he should have encouraged me to wait knowing I was moving . I feel partly responsible for doing too much and am beating myself up...and mostly angry at him. He keeps saying it will be fine but obviously it may not be. My house is sold so it's not like I don't have to move . What a nightmare. Like a cross country move isnt stressful enough ! . I could just kick myself bc even if my Dr didn't know better to do this now , I should have . I can deal with a permanent numb toe but am so afraid that won't be the worst . What is wrong with these doctors????

I've just found this site whilst researching surgery for Mortons Neuroma.  I had heard that surgery is hit and miss for this condition, but didn't realise just how much worse you can end up.   Apparently, there are more complaints and litigation against the NHS for this procedure than any other.  I have decided not to go ahead with surgery.  I would however like to recommend Fitflop shoes.  I have been wearing them for about 7 years and they really help with MN pain.  They are mostly flip flop designs, although you can get full shoes and boots.   I think they help because they have high arches (which spreads your toes out and relieves the pressure) and most of the weight is on your heels.  They are also extremely comfortable.  I find I can walk for a couple of hours without pain.   If I am not wearing them, I am limping within 10 minutes and the pain is excruciating.   My toes go numb and I'm unable to continue walking.  They are not the prettiest shoes but my days of wearing stilettos are long gone (in fact I'm convinced that wearing high heels all day every day throughout the 80's is what caused the MN).   

For those of you who have had surgery, they may help with your pain.   They are not cheap (try Amazon) or walk around a shoe shop in them - I found they helped straight away.  

Thank you to all who have shared their experiences, it's very helpful to others.  I hope you all find relief one way or another.   

 

My surgery was 1yr and 2 months and my foot is still in pain. No more running or any other type exercise can be done on my foot. My doctor think I have a lot of scar tissue and now a stomped nerve. I am take 100 - 200mg of gabapentin nightly and 1 capsule of Podiapn daily. I wish o never had the surgery and I am reluctant to have surgery to remove the stomped nerve or scar tissue.

I was one of the unlucky patients thay developed complications.