For all those suffering with Morton’s neuroma - my struggles

He did warn me it may not work, we will see. So far pleased with the progress, and scar is brilliant a very thin line that will fade in time. Having part 2 in a couple of weeks have two toes bent and going to left so got to have them broken, a bit taken out and then screws and wired together. Hoping that will be a positive outcome too.

Thanks for writing about your MN Mark.  Over the last few weeks my right foot developed pain that gets worse from walking - like a stone bruise near the second toe.  I'm at my wits end, as enjoy the outdoors and exercising; all of which has been put on hold!  Don't even know how to get to work, as it involves walking to the train station.  My first step is to get an accurate diagnosis and then all the stories on this thread have helped.  You are so lucky to have been successful with yours.  We're in NZ, and my efforts are spent on trying to find a specialist who can help.

Thanks Mark.

I live in New York. I found a specialist that performs ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablations for Morton,s neuroma in New Jersey, just 30 minutes from New York City.

I am 80% better with the first treatment. Can't wait for the second. The doctor said sometimes 2 0r 3 ablations are needed.

Hi Mark, 

Thank you for this thread, really helpful to see what other countries are using for treatment options. 

I'm in New Zealand and have had my MN for close to a year now. 

A few weeks ago I had the steroid mixed with local anaesthetic shot done, the first 3 days were horrible. I seem to react to local anaesthetic with a massive headache and that happened for the third time again. (Had the same thing happen with local for dental, including when wisdom teeth removed).  

Ended up feeling quite faint pretty quickly after the shot was done. Laid down in order not to faint. Came home and lay on the couch with feet propped up on cushions to help reduce any swelling as well as lots of napping in order to help the headache. Paracetamol and ibuprofen not much help. Took the full three days of this laying on the couch to come back to normal. 

Spoke with my GP and she said it's an unusual reaction but definitely a side effect that's known. 

I am now three weeks post shot and my foot is no better. The same numbness between toes, the same ball of foot pain in the pad of foot (like a bunched up sock). 

I don't wear heels and I'm only in my late 20's. Apparently it's "rare for someone my age" to have a MN. ... It isn't the first health condition I've been told that for (Baker's Lung occupational asthma too... used to work in a bakery).

I see my surgeon again next week so hopefully I'm not sent back for another shot and go into surgical options next. 

After 2 years and two surgeries and two high temp procedures with no sucess plus alcohol injections every ten days...

I'm proud to announce I am feeling better after molds were taken of my feet and inserts were made that have changed my life. Insurance paid for them but I would have paid myself if I had known they would have worked this well.

When I see my doctor on May 1, I'm fairly certain that he will not give me another injection.

The bad thing is I feel like I have a biscuit in my foot but at least the neuroma's have settled down.

Terry

What was the sclerosing agent?  I've read about alcohol.  I've been dealing with a Morton's neuroma for the past couple years and have had steroid injections, but they are very little help.  Doctor has recommended surgery, but my research tells me that often isn't successful.  Thank you for any information you can provide.

I know the personal hell that anyone who has Morton's Neuroma goes through. I've had MN, 1 in each foot for about 5 years. After extensive cortisone injections failed to give me permanent results, I had one of them surgically removed. It reoccurred as a stump neuroma a few months later. Another surgery on the stump neuroma about 2 years later also failed. Since then I've had sclerosing (unguided) done on both feet, with some improvement on the stump neuroma only.

At the recommendation of a Podiatrist, I tried some shoes sold in the US under the brand name of Hoka. Along with extra thick cushioning, they have a somewhat rounded sole that absorbs your weight mid foot rather than forefoot. These have been a huge improvement, and they are now the only shoes I will wear. I also have custom orthotics that I wear with them at all times. 

I am now considering sound guided radio frequency ablation, as I have read positive reports on this kind of treatment. I would not recommend surgery if you can possibly avoid it. The data is inconclusive. Some literature suggests a success rate of only 50%, which I would not doubt. You do NOT want to end up with a stump neuroma. My advice, if you are at the stage of considering surgery, is try the non-invasive techniques first, including both guided sclerosing and guided RFA. Also, get some Hoka shoes and custom orthotics fitted with a metatarsal pad, they were a game changer for me.

I have found your web site, Center for Morton's Neuroma, and it is in MA. I'm in CA and have no way to get treatment there. I have been on the web looking for something like this in my area? Do you know of anything like that in the Orange County, CA area?