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Is this morton's neuroma?

Posted , 21 users are following.

miklish
miklish

I first noticed a numbness on the bottom of 2 of my toes (3rd and 4th) about 8 months ago.  I then soon noticed a burning sensation.....like walking on a pebble, on the ball of my foot......and both of these conditions have stayed with me ever since, although at times I am less conscious of it than other times.  3 weeks ago I started having the same ball of foot pain in my other foot- although not the numb toes.  I am male, 54, generally very healthy and not over weight.  I am a walker and before this played tennis.  Any help/suggestions greatly appreciated.  

2 likes, 31 replies

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  • madcow1964
    madcow1964 miklish

    Posted

    Hi,

    It has taken almost 2 years to be taken seriously, but I am finally having an MRI scan tomorrow, not to see if I have a Morton's Neuroma (got that diagnosis by ultrasound several months ago) but to try and fathom out why I am getting severe burning pains on the top of my foot, from behind affected toes up to the ankle bone.

    I have to admit, I self-diagnosed a Morton's Feb 2013, when I was in so much pain and desperation, but my doctor said that was wrong and pointed to my big toe joint as to the site of a neuroma! The previous December he had done blood tests to rule out a whole host of causes of pain and numbness in the ball of my foot (for which I was very grateful) but, as my blood pressure was high and circulation poor I was put on diuretics and blood pressure pills and sent for several foot x-rays which showed nothing!

    My history -

    Early 2012 I was getting odd pains in both feet. When I went on holiday in the May, wearing trekking sandals for the first time in years, I ended up in agony after clambering about rocks in Cornwall. The pain in both feet continued long after the holiday and, with various people suggesting Plantar Fasciitis, I finally went to my doctor. I saw a locum, instead, who listened to my sorry tale, said he would sort out the worst foot first, then said "I can give you an injection for that!" and promptly went about it! Everyone I knew, including my father, who had suffered this afliction, had been told about the injection, but all had been told it was a last resort as it was one of the most painful things known to man, and can cause the plantar fascia to tear!

    I was not given any options or advice or alternatives - in went the needle, straight into the heel, and into the desk went my nails, the other hand in my mouth to stop me crying out! He even wiggled the needle about! It must have lasted several minutes! However, after 3 days of agony and barely able to stand, the pain suddenly cleared and I was fine (the other foot healed itself after that scare!).

    Then, one day in October, I went up on the balls of my feet to reach for something when I felt, and heard, something snap. After a few moments of immobility, I gingerly put my foot down - but there was no pain. However, over the course of the next few days I developed a strange sensation - it felt like the carpet had become sticky. This sensation then turned to a feeling of walking on bubblewrap, just under the ball of the foot. It was several weeks later that the pain started and I was limping wherever I went.

    I was in so much pain by December 2012 that I'm not surprised my blood pressure was so high! However, at no time did the doctor suggest my plantar fascia could have torn. To cut a long story short, it was not until last December that I was given an ultrasound scan which showed up several tears. By that time I had given up on my doctor and got myself booked in with a lovely podiatrist, luckily on the NHS. She had been pushing for me to have an MRI scan since September 2013 - and it is finally happening tomorrow!

    I had been referred to a consultant in July. He made the first mention of a Morton's Neuroma before he even checked me out. He got me an appointment with a specialist, who gave me a steroid injection between the toes under ultrasound guidance. He was hesitant about it, saying he didn't want to hurt me, but I think he realised I was serious when I said sometimes the pain has been so bad in my foot that I would have welcomed amputation!

    That was in October. Last month I saw the consultant again, who was surprised that the injection had made no difference as mine is only a small neuroma. He could see my toes don't touch the ground when I walk, so there must still be an odd swelling underneath. The burning pain on top of my foot has everyone baffled, hence the reason he has agreed to an MRI - to rule out anything nasty.

    The only way I can describe my pain - after the sharp burning, when I can't keep my foot still, it then feels as if someone has beaten me over the top of the foot with a bunch of stinging nettles! I then can't bear anything to touch that area, especially bedclothes. I suspect it may be Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - that is the only condition that matches.

    By the way - the first thing my podiatrist diagnosed was tight calf muscles, something I have inherited from my mum. She had special insoles made for me and gave me a calf loosening excerise to do. I never realised that the pain I got in my calves on walking hard and fast, actually has a name - shin splints - and is caused by tight calf muscles.

    I apologise for the length of my post, but it is the first time I have written it all down and so few people, including medics, seem to have heard of Morton's Neuroma. Surgery has been mentioned to me - but as a last resort as it carries its own risks of course.

  • ukulele_girl
    ukulele_girl miklish

    Posted

    Hi All

    I went to see the surgeon last week about my Morton's Neuroma. He told me having a MRI is a waste of time as it doesn't alway's show up. Anyway I got a letter yesterday to say they will do the operation in March. I am so pleased as I had my other foot done several year's ago and have had no pain in that foot since.Roll on March!

  • madcow1964
    madcow1964 miklish

    Posted

    Finally got the results of my December MRI scan today. Not only do I have a Morton's Neuroma, bursitis and a torn plantar fascia, but they have diagnosed a stress fracture in the 4th metatarsal! That must have been the snap I heard and felt, way back in October 2012! No wonder my whole foot was horribly swollen for so many months! The consultant (a different one this time) looked shocked when I said the symptoms had been with me for over 2 years!

    Now I have to keep the weight off my foot as much as possible for the next 4 to 6 weeks to let the fracture heal! After over 2 years of walking on said fracture, what damage have I caused my foot?? Is resting it now simply a case of shutting the door after the horse has bolted?? Luckily I work at home, at a computer. But I am well aware sitting around is not healthy, so I have walked the mile to our village post office, when necessary, thinking it was doing me good and keeping my foot moving as the burning pain can be quite severe if I have been resting it too long!

    Just don't know what I should do for the best any more!

  • Sandy19469
    Sandy19469 miklish

    Posted

    I had mortons neuroma together with scarf akin ostotomy at beginning of October. I guess everyone is different but my own experience has not been good. I certainly would not go down the route of removal of neuroma should I ever get another one. The original feeling of a marble under foot and pain up leg has gone but I now have a dreadful feeling in both toes as though they are fused together and impossible to move and the whole area is more painful than before op. The bunion area is improving very slowly but still experience a great deal of sharp nerve pains and very uncomfortable to walk. Like many other people who love to walk I have been very disappointed with the outcome. Think very carefully before having any operations on your feet. 
  • ukulele_girl
    ukulele_girl miklish

    Posted

    Hi all

    I had an ultra sound on my right foot and was told I have two MN, I have my operation on the 9th March. Having already had my left foot operated on several

    years ago with great success, I feel after trying everything else to ease the

    pain this is my only option. One thing I did try was a pair of flitflop boots and I must say they did help, but I cannot wear them through the summer so will go

    ahead with the operation. Wish me luck and I will keep you informed. xxx

     

  • deborah39208
    deborah39208 miklish

    Posted

    After 5 years of suffering with what felt like a rock in the ball of my foot. Searching many doctors for an answer finally a podiatrist convienced me that I had a neuroma between my 2nd and 3rd toe. I had the surgery exactly 4 weeks ago. Took it easy the first 2 weeks. Did everything I was suppost to.  I am still on crutches! Everytime I try to more than a little pressure on foot I get a sharp piercing pain in the top-center of my arch. My toes are stiff. Is this normal? My doctor told me that I would be back at work after 2 weeks. I can't walk and having to take more leave than expected. Very Depressing.
    • ukulele_girl
      ukulele_girl deborah39208

      Posted

      Hi Deborah, I had two MN removed three weeks ago, I am off my crutches but still in quite a bit of pain. I keep getting like electric shocks through one of my toes, also it is still very sore on the top of my foot where they cut me. About seven years ago I had a MN removed from my other foot and was back at work after about 3 weeks, I don't remember it being this painful. Have you been back to the hospital where you had your op? if so what have they said? I went back about 10 day's ago and they said they were pleased with the way it was healing. But since then it seems to have got worse, I go back again in April. They told me to wear trainers but I find them to uncomfortable so I am wearing Crocs. Did they give you any excerises to do? I was told to bend my toes backwards untill it hurt to much, I have done this each day also rubbed cream into the scar. Have done everything they say but it still hurts. Hopefully it will get better. Good luck with yours and I hope you feel better soon. xxx
  • ingrid89910
    ingrid89910 miklish

    Posted

    I think I also have a Morton's neuroma but undiagnosed. Very painful burning sensation in the left foot under the third and fourth toes, mostly when lying down but also when standing after lying down briefly or for the night. kI am wondering if anyone in this forum has tired the solution that an American doctor, Burton Schuler desribes in his book, "Why you really hurt: It all starts in the Foot" in which he describes a condition called Morton's Toe (different Morton!) in which the second metatarsul bone is longer than the first.. He suggests cutting out aa rectangular pad using a inexpensive insole and taping it under the big toe to reposition the foot. Has anyone tried this and did it work for you? The reports of surgery are so good and bad that I fear having such surgery to cure my problem despite how debilitating I am finding the condition.
    • leonard64278
      leonard64278 ingrid89910

      Posted

      You are the only one who confirms my conditon of the burning when lying down.   I get the pain in the middle of the night when asleep.  What is the update on your condition?  Did the pad help?  Is it Morton Toe?
  • leonard64278
    leonard64278 miklish

    Posted

    You are the only one who confirms my conditon of the burning when lying down.   I get the pain in the middle of the night when asleep.  What is the update on your condition?  Did the pad help?  Is it Morton Toe?
  • lianne_24762
    lianne_24762 miklish

    Posted

    Did you get to the bottom of the problem? I ask because I have tingly toes both sides on the 3rd and 4th toes but I don't think it's a neuroma as not painful to touch. My legs are tight too. Your symptoms mirror mine. My neurologist performed a test and doesn't think neurological but still worried. An MRI of spine would be next 

  • richard20450
    richard20450 miklish

    Posted

    Hi everybody...I feel your pain! I'm new to this discussion but I share some of the same problems. I've been to several different Podiatrists and it seems that none of them have a clue!   The symptoms I have in my left foot are identical to what many of you describe....pain, burning, tingling in the forefoot and toes. The only thing that I've found to bring some relief is to attach a self adhesive pad to the UNDERSIDE of my insole near the center/front of the foot. I cut it to be about 1 inch wide and about 2 inches long. It takes some trial and error to find the position that brings the most relief but it certainly seems to help.  

    • richard20450
      richard20450

      Posted

      I should add that I also had to double the thickness of the pad for it to bring some relief. 
    • barry08156
      barry08156 richard20450

      Posted

      I've got neuroma's in both feet, one has actually been removed twice and has come back. The only thing thats worked for me is Hoka shoes, recommended by a podiatrist. They have a very cushioney sole, and coupled with custom orthotics with metatarsal pads have been a game changer. The sole is shaped to bear more weight on the center of the foot, rather than the forefoot. They have wide, boxy toes, another plus. Other than that, I am currently looking at radio frequency ablation treatment of the affected nerves. I would not recommend surgery, data is sketchy with success rates at around 50%, no matter what the doctor tells you. If your surgery fails and you end up with a stump neuroma, you are in trouble.

  • olivia72247
    olivia72247 miklish

    Posted

    Hi, this an old post but new topic for me so apologies for bothering. i have exactly same symptom (tingling in second and third toe) on one foot, and occasional electric like shock between the two toes when i put pressure on feet and lift my affected toes. its very mild for now and sounds like MN but what worries me is "what if its MS". so im in depression ever since and don't know what to do. i would be grateful if you provided an update.

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