The dressing holds the foot securely in place, much like a cast, to allow healing. We will ensure you receive the aids required after surgery. Offering virtual care. Burning pain in the ball of your foot that shoots into the toes. Morton's neuroma is a condition that affects one of the nerves that run between the long bones (metatarsals) in the foot. If the surgery went well, you can expect to experience some soreness when the anesthesia wears off. You have really been through a lot and come out on top which is commendable. The patient is fully conscious during surgery. It worked but was annoying to have to stop frequently to take care of the issue. Every procedure causes pain. Hello unknown. I'm on day 1 post op, no suction drain and definitely relying on the pain meds a bit but nothing too awful. I would recommend the clinic to anyone. ISSN 1941-6806 doi: 10.3827/faoj.2018.1202.0005. But even men primarily runners training a lot can develop it. In some cases, a stump neuroma may form. However, you should elevate your foot as much as possible whilst the wound is healing to prevent swelling. In essence, the neuroma affects the nerves found between your metatarsal bones. I have a big rail race over labor day that I am hoping to be healed up in time to train for, so I am going to follow his instructions to a T. It's going to be crazy-making, though! After accessing the nerve, your surgeon may remove the swollen portion of the nerve or release tissues around the nerve to decompress it. Here at Gelenk-Klinik, a close relationship between the physician and their patient is important. Home Blog Best Shoes for Morton's Neuroma. After the incision is completely healed, massaging the forefoot can help prevent the development of scar tissue. My wife and I even did a little rock climbing and climbed one easy route, on top rope, without any major discomfort. The truth is that there are cases where surgery has worked effectively with no complications. Morton's neuroma is not actually a tumor, but a thickening of the tissue that surrounds the digital nerve leading to the toes. Hi Shawn, my day to day shoes are generally any of my running shoes or Vans casual shoes. Those types of trails would typically have caused me foot pain but not anymore. I am using brand new gym shoes which I think is important to avoid introducing bacteria to the area. We think the trapping is brought on by abnormal foot biomechanics and wearing the wrong footwear. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above, you may benefit from an evaluation by an orthopaedic surgeon. HELP! I do use the SOLE after market insoles for a bit of arch support. . Recovery from decompression surgery is generally quite quick and you should be able to weight bear on the affected foot and wear padded shoes immediately after surgery. Hi Pat. I usually begin with the first option and then perform an ice pack or ice rub. Hope recovery is still going well. Women are four times more likely to develop Morton's neuroma than men. The exact cause of a Mortons neuroma is not known, but current research suggests it is likely the result of entrapment (i.e., compression or squeezing) of the common digital plantar nerves. Initial management of a Mortons neuroma typically involves one or more of the following: Studies have shown that many people can achieve lasting relief with a combination of shoe wear modifications, orthoses, anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., ibuprofen or naproxen), and/or corticosteroid injections. To book an appointment at Metroplex Foot and Ankle LLP, call us at 214-217-3668. . Protocols differ, and you should follow the specific instructions of your operating surgeon. These signs of inflammation are reversible to a certain extent if the mechanical pressure on the nerve is eliminated. This is the most common method that your surgeon will likely perform. I'm back in the swing of running now and recently did a number of runs on limestone trails without any discomfort. As soon as the drain tube was out, I was able to ditch the boot and slip my foot into my Altra Olympus shoes. You will need to complete any pre-operative tests or laboratory work prescribed by your doctor. Thats understandable because having surgery means you will have to be on downtime for some time. There was only mild discomfort. Cryogenic neuroablation or cryo injection therapy: During this procedure, extremely cold temperatures are applied to the nerves to destroy nerve cells and the myelin sheath that covers the nerve. If the size is less than 0.8 cm, surgery can be used to save the nerve (neurolysis). Plantar fasciitis surgery; Morton's neuroma surgery; Reconstructive surgery to fix problems with foot structure . Your email address will not be published. My doc is taking the conservative route, and I have a sterile dressing that I am not to remove for 2 weeks, and will be in a boot that whole time. Good to hear and I LOVE the Altras! I found good relief in the ankle about three weeks post-op and neared about 80 percent normal feeling in my ankle (it hurt a bit still on deep steps down, etc. The nerve becomes swollen because of the nerve trapping between the heads of the small bones. Other than some slight discomfort the first few steps out of bed in the morning, walking was quite comfortable with a slight "bruised" feeling in the ball of my foot when I walked. My doctor is a foot and ankle orthopedist at a sports clinic. With this option, the neuroma is not cut. #5. On Friday morning, the surgery went very well and took about an hour. Having no pain post-op and being able to get around with only a small limp is encouraging. While surgery is successful in many cases, the reported long-term outcomes of neuroma excision vary. Private room in the Gelenk-Klinik in Gundelfingen, Germany. The stitches will be removed eleven days from now and I'm hopeful by then I'll be walking normally and able to hike trails a bit. The human body is a pretty amazing thing (as are antibiotics! To remove a neuroma, a small incision is made in the web space between the two affected toes. All rooms also have a television. Nobody wants to run with that! Morton's neuroma is a very painful condition at the ball of the foot. I allowed myself a week off work but actually I really struggled with concentration the following week, and trying to work effectively while keeping my foot elevated was difficult. Likes Received: 1. Morton's Neuroma is a painful health condition affecting the ball of your foot, commonly around the area between the third and fourth toes. Morton's metatarsalgia, a condition where a nerve in the foot becomes irritated and extremely painful, you may need Morton's neuroma surgery. This involves massage, strengthening, and mobility exercise. Otherwise, there is a risk of recurrence, so a renewed irritation of the nerve stump with painful swelling of the connective tissue. The story . fax: +49-761-79117-999 Right very flared up. !my doctor was a good podiatrists!!! My advice to you, one Mortons Neuroma sufferer to another, once you are diagnosed with this condition, do not rush into surgery. We have been seeing excellent medical results for years by relieving the nerve and possibly decompression by repositioning the metatarsal bones. Lots of intense shooting pain when I manipulate under my foot arch but Im being patient. This means: You will be in the care of your treating physician from the initial examination until after surgery. According to the doctors at the United States Neuropathy Centers, this method is an outpatient procedure that is much less invasive than Neurectomy. You will decide which type of anaesthesia is best for you together with the anaesthetist. I'm now three weeks post-op for surgery to remove a damaged nerve in my foot. I hope you find relief and if you go the surgery route, keep the incision area clean (unlike I did!) Hi Shawn. This shoe shifts the entire bodyweight to the heel. The MRI sectional images, however, do not always definitively provide information on the size and location of the neuroma. My Blog - Twitter - Instagram. I can even run this way, in good running shoes with a wide enough toe box but when I put socks back on, even with the good shoes, it usually acts up again. Blog; Testimonials; Contact; Call Us. Conservative options are meant to make the pain go away without tempering much with the damaged nerve. Your podiatrist may discuss surgical treatment options with you if your symptoms have persisted or worsened after trying multiple conservative treatments. The main symptoms of Morton's neuroma include: a shooting, stabbing or burning pain. If the personal quality of life has been reduced and pain is severe, and if conservative treatment is unsuccessful, surgery is an option. Most patients who undergo a Mortons neuroma excision, in which the neuroma and part of the nerve are removed, will experience complete relief from pain but will suffer some permanent numbness of the adjacent toes. Yet neurectomy so actually amputating the nerve is still considered the standard treatment for Mortons neuralgia. After determining the patients suitability for surgery, the treating physician will discuss the procedure and possible complications of the surgery with the patient. About OrthoInfoEditorial Board Our ContributorsOur Subspecialty Partners Contact Us, Privacy PolicyTerms & Conditions Linking Policy AAOS Newsroom Find an FAAOS Surgeon. I think the two bits of advice I'd like to pass on to anyone else undergoing surgery for Mortons Neuroma are: 1. Wondering if you had a similar experience at all - is it just a matter of months for the rest of the swelling / healing process to take place? Patients are commonly allowed to return to normal shoe wear by 4 weeks after the procedure. ThanksShawn. That means taking a tactical break from regular running in favour of low-impact activities, like swimming. from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, The forefoot (front part of the foot) has 14, The areas between the bases of the metatarsals, known as, The nerves that give sensation to part of your toes are called the, The nerve branches in the forefoot at the level of the web space are called, In the web space, the rounded ends of the metatarsal bones are connected to each other by ligaments called. Altra shoes don't work for me because they're zero drop and that beats up my achilles and posterior tibial tendons. Find out when to see your doctor, and much more. Very interested to see how you have fared since your last update since I've had a hard time finding reports from distance/ultra runners on how it's worked out for them. You can expect to get back into . I'm really glad I did the surgery--it was the right choice for me. In fact, I think climbing is good therapy because the weight is mostly on my big toe and each step is very calculated. If the size is less than 0.8 cm, surgery can be used to save the nerve (neurolysis). Treating Morton's neuroma by injection, neurolysis, or neurectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of pain and satisfaction outcomes. I have been battling with one for 4 years and have tried numerous approaches ranging from most conservative to actual surgery 7 days ago. It involves making an incision at the top of the foot where your neuroma is, and carefully removing the affected nerve. Formication or a feeling of numbness in the toes are symptoms of Morton's neuroma. Another risk of this surgery is a scar tissue or stump neuroma, which develops when there is irritation at the end of the cut nerve. The Best Shoes for Morton's Neuroma. You will be instructed to keep your foot and leg elevated while sitting or lying down and make sure your bandages are clean, dry, and intact, even when bathing. It is often used to treat bunions but may be used for intermetatarsal neuroma if the metatarsal is malpositioned or malformed. I kept icing it 20 min, 20 min rest, 20 min ice. A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that may develop in various parts of the body. But then theres this nagging question about Mortons Neuroma surgery recovery time. Morton's neuroma may feel as if you are standing on a pebble in your shoe or on a fold in your sock. Glad to hear it's feeling so well after five weeks. I am two weeks post surgery for a Morton's Neuroma between my 3rd-4th toes. If Morton's neuroma swelling is too severe, the nerve will need to be removed (neurectomy). Immediately after surgery you should elevate and ice your foot to minimise pain and swelling. Tight, narrow shoes also aggravate this condition by compressing the toe bones and pinching the nerve. Recovery from Morton's neuroma surgery takes up to 3 months in total. Morton's neuroma usually occurs between the third and fourth toe.