[sherryplotkin]

It has been nearly 6 months following surgery where the nerve was cut and redirected back towards my heel. The pain is still there between the 3rd and 4th toe and maybe worse. The doctor says the foot is still swollen and the remaining nerves (I thought the nerves were all cut and redirected) are being squeezed by the swelling. He gave me a cortizone shot and I started "icing" the foot but it appears to be worse. I can't wear shoes I could wear before the surgery. The doctor says it could take up to 1 year to heal. What is your experience and advice? Thanks.

[stewbus37]

I am 4 months out from my second surgery. Ended up with a neuroma stump after the first one. I am still in Alot of pain. My doctor wanted to do another cortisone injection which would be the third and I asked him for other options. I started going for physical therapy where they are doing ultrasound to break up the scar tissue. After 2 sessions, it feels about 2% better. I am hoping that this works because I am at my wits end. I am not supposed to be in pain anymore according to my doctor.

[sherryplotkin]

Sorry to hear about your problems which sound similar to mine. In fact the cortisone shot seemed to make my pain worse and more frequent. I see the doctor again this month and will ask about the ultrasound treatment. My foot is still swollen on the bottom. It feels like I am walking on a scrunched up sock. The doctor says the swelling is probably squeezing the nerves that are still left there because they don't take them all, just the largest one. Did you have 2 surgeries on the same foot? If so, why and why does your doctor say it still hasn't solved the problem?

[stewbus37]

My first surgery was in february to remove the neuroma. He went in from the top. About 10 weeks later I was in worse pain than before and he realized I had a neuroma stump. I had to wait until the middle of june for the 2nd surgery because of my daughters graduation. The second surgery, he went in from the bottom. I started to feel better but that didn't last long. I like you had the cortisone shots and they only made the pain worse. I am pretty sore right now but i had a few hours without pain which i haven't had since last year. It doesn't help that my job requires me to be on my foot walking for 5 hours. I have to have a positive attitude and hope that the physical therapy is going to help. My foot doctor says I shouldn't be in pain anymore. Thats what I am saying, but he says there really aren't any tests to determine why I still hurt. Let me know how it goes with you.

[dayles]

So sorry to hear about your post surgery problems. I too had surgery 6 months ago for my MN between the 3rd and 4th toe and my results have been fantastic! You mention redirecting the nerve? My surgery consisted of removing the nerve totally and my Doc. even assurend me he goes beyond where the nerve is to avoid the stump neuroma problem because I was very conceren about that issue. I am a female runner and have worked out for years and pre surgery the pain had gotten so bad it hurt to wear any kind of shoe. The cortisone shots did nothing so I went for the surgery and once the nevere was totally taken out the pain went away (makes sense, no nerve is left). I have read on this wall all the negative comments and I wanted to post a positive one. I had a little pain after the surgery, stitches came out 7-10 days after, not much swelling. I took it easy for 6 weeks and life it great. I am wondering since the nerve was redirected if that's the problem. Mine was totally removed and now there is some numbness but only to the touch...doesn't bother me at all. Good luck and don't give up. Maybe go to another doctor.

[sherryplotkin]

I am so happy for you that your surgery was successful. That is wonderful. With me, the main nerve going to the 3rd and 4th toe was removed but I don't think they can remove the entire nerve system since it runs through the body (I'm not a dr. but I don't think it starts and stops in the foot). Therefore, it has to be redirected. There is no pain where it was redirected but there are other nerve branches in that area. I understand they can't remove every one. Anyways, most of the time the surgery is supposed to work. I am now getting orthodics to help reduce the swelling and calm down the remaining nerves. In the meantime, I have discovered that if I "stuff" the toe of my shoe with tissues that keeps the toes stable and allows the pressure put up front instead of on the ball of my foot, I significantly reduce the pain. This is obviously not a long term solution but the doctor is hopeful once the swelling is gone, I should be okay. We will see!!

[dayles]

Sherry, it sure sounds like you have had to deal with a lot. Everyone does heal differently, and hopefully, the cause is the swelling. Just hang in there and hopefully it will start to feel better. If it doesn't in the next few months, I'm sorry, I would not hesitate to go to a different doctor. Your feet are too important to put all your faith in one physician. Dr. Joseph Urricchio in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida did my surgery. Good Luck! Donna

[stewbus37]

Yes, the 2 surgeries were on the same foot. The first one he went in from the top. After that, I ended up with a neuroma stump so he had to go in from the bottom the second time to remove that. The ultrasound really helped the scar tissue. Two weeks ago though I went back for my third and last cortisone shot and it didn't help. He then put me on Lyrica for nerve pain and I am thinking it may be helping but we have had to increase the dosages. I went back today and we increased it once again . He told me that if this doesn't work, he may have to go back in again. NOT. He doesn't understand why I am still in pain. Just lucky I guess. I hope you have better luck than me.

[sherryplotkin]

I am so sorry to hear about your issues. My primary physician who is Asian told me that too many drs. recommend surgery which is the preference of Western medicine. She recommended accupuncture. I am going to give that a try if the orthodocs don't relieve the pain. I wish I had tried accupuncture first. I agree that you should not do a 3rd surgery but maybe a second opinion? Good luck!!

[Designeer]

Even my acupunturist in Naples, Fl knew that prolotherapy and not acupunture is necessary to tighten ligaments in foot. He did the prolo and it brings me closer to cured with each treatment.

http://www.getprolo.com/prolotherapy_and_foot_pain.htm