Morton's Neuroma

[RobinSchares]

Hi there,
I called the doc this morning to see if I could get released from the boot and drive today and was told no! Surgery was exactly 6 weeks ago today and I walked last night without the boot from one room to the next and it was awful. I have had no therapy and that foot has not moved since the surgery and I felt it pull in all ways. I was also told from the doctor last week that Wed. I would be able to wear a shoe and today was told that I was 'transisting" to a shoe and that I was only to walk for a few hours around the house and then back to the boot. I didn't know that. I cannot believe that this is taking this long as the other foot was done in September and I was walking in 3 weeks, but then they thought they were going to operate on the other foot right after that surgery so I believe they hurried it up to get that done. I would then have had to wear 2 boots at a time and the foot was not healthy enough to handle all my weight. I postponed the second surgery (which they didn't like) because I wanted to feel safe enough to walk on crutches. Yes I fell 4 times total, 2 on each surgery with crutches. They are difficult. Was also told that if I didn't transistion to a shoe and just wore one 24-7 that the pain would be awful, and the chance of complications, like swelling and stump neuroma's would increase. What are you taking for pain? I think my doc did a great job with that and referred me to my family doctor cause the podiatrist thinks that celebrex alone would cut the pain. My family doctor has made me comfortable through the whole thing, although there was more pain on this surgery than the last one. I also had Tarsal Tunnel Surgery the same time. I am glad that they treated the pain sufficiently. I had considerable pain sometimes at night but was given something for break through pain. I wish the doc had been honest about the recovery and wonder how do people do it with a job or a family. Looking forward to getting back to work as I had to quit my job a year and half ago because of the pain.
Please do not worry about the surgery in 11 days as my surgery had more things going on with the Tarsal Tunnel and I believe that had a lot to do with my slow recovery as they cut all the way around the ankle. Another thing I didn't know. I thought they just made a slit but it was a good size cut.
THE GOOD NEWS: The foot that had the surgery on the 10th of September is remarkably better. The nueroma pain I had in that foot was horrible and I don't have pain with that foot and after years of suffering it was the best decision that I made. I still sometimes get a sharp pain on the top of the toes from the nerve being removed but all in all it is pain free.
Have the surgery as their is no other way and no that after it's over the down time wasn't so bad. Take care and let me know how it goes but know there is hope after the surgery.

[RobinSchares]

I just read your post and was startled. How did you get the scar tissue? How do you know if you have scar tissue? Was this just a neuroma that you had removed? I have a huge scar from the Tarsal Tunnel Surgery but the neuroma scar is not so bad.
What scared me is that you cannot wear pretty shoes after 4 years? Why? Pain? Did you get released to go back to work after 2 weeks, even desk duty you have to go to the car, to the job, to home and that seems like too much after only 2 weeks. I could not even do anything until after 4 weeks, nothing but lay there day in and day out and after 4 weeks I was released to walk (in the boot only) and then another 2 weeks before "transisting" to a shoe. I can only wear a shoe for a few hours a day after 4 weeks. Do you think the scar tissue was from going back to work to soon. It is amazing how just driving in a car bangs your foot around, or going anywhere to do anything. I am fearful after reading your post that I too could develop scar tissue. My first appointment after surgery I was told that I would be in the boot far longer than the last surgery because he thought there was a possiblity of scar tissue, he sent me home to do absolutely nothing and when I went back 2 weeks after he said it looked unbelievable and that I could get rid of the crutches but not the boot. How do I know if I have it? Does it change the color of the skin? Is it only through pain? How do I work it out? Are you certain that you don't have a stump neuroma? I have heard of these and the h*** that they cause. Your doctor didn't mention it at all and neither did mine. They had me sign a sheet but never took the time to tell me anything regarding recovery. He didn't even tell me that he detected scar tissue until the next visit when I asked why we were going so slow on everything. Should I suggest that the next patient he be more up front and open about the complications and the inactivity that you are going to experience? Should I approach him about this or let it go? Sorry that your doctor was not upfront with you.
Have you heard of stump neuroma's? Are you sure that isn't the cause of the tremendous pain. I was hopeful that pain days were over for me since I had the surgery. Guess not.

[RobinSchares]

House cleaning went okay and didn't get to walk too much. I still am in a boot and last surgery we had a lady come in to clean but within a few months we are not able to do that financially this time. My husband is in the mortgage business and we are struggling financially more now then before.
After being done for 5 full weeks I was grateful to be able to do anything. I have become lazy. I had 2 surgeries for neuroma's and tarsal tunnel syndrom since sept. 10th. i have gained 10 pounds and have done nothing. 6 weeks post-op today and still have no gusto. I wear out very easily and am unmotivated. After Christmas I am going to start looking for a job, as the pain caused me to quit mine a few years ago. I was a waitress and I have pounded on my feet for years. Yeah, the "pretty shoes" are not that important and sorry you are having so much pain. What do you take? Does it work? I have a very low tolerance for pain and a very high tolerance to pain medication so sometimes I am just screwed. Wed. I will walk a little in a regular shoe and still not understanding why they didn't order physical therapy for me. I asked. Take care and let me know when I can expect to walk normally, and painlessly. Do you have scar tissue?

[alwaysunderfoot]

RobinSchares,You have every right to feel unmotivated. Sounds like you've had a terrible few months. Try to remember that things will get better- at least thats what we're hoping for right? After being inactive for so long it will probably take a while to get back to normal. I only take a few Lortabs at times for pain when absolutely necessary. All pain meds. make me sick so I have to take phenergan with it for naseau and that stuff makes me feel sooo bad! Over-the-counter pain meds. don't help at all so I usually try to grin and bear it! And grumble, grumble, grumble! I hope you get out of the boot soon. Keep me posted.

[RobinSchares]

Wow, it took me coming back to this forum to realize how much I went on and on about this. I am in a shoe (part time) over 6 weeks post-op and that foot is so stiff that I get back in the boot most times. I wonder how you are doing? Did all go well for you? I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and being able to do the smallest of things feels great.
Did you have any complications? Over the counter pain meds do not work at all for me. Lortabs would be fine but after a while they do not wish to continue prescribing.
The most painful times were right after the surgery and then when I can walk in the boot and then transferring to a shoe.
Does the lortab work for you?
How long ago was your surgery? Are they willing to prescribe after the surgery?

[alwaysunderfoot]

RobinSchares, I'm glad to hear you are doing better. I haven't had surgery yet. Will have it Friday. Hope you have a good Christmas! Keep me posted on your progress. Thanks!

[klr]

Had MN surgery on left foot December 7. Stitches taken out Dec 17 - Dr. said I could start walking on it as I feel like it - still in a lot of pain and cannot walk very far on it - seems as if no progress in last 9 days. No info given to me about a boot - maybe I should ask for one - did you get it after stitches taken out? I hate laying around all day - my husband is so patient with me, but how long should I expect before I can actually walk (vs limp) around the house, much less go outside!

[RobinSchares]

Goodness I have never heard of such a thing a not having a boot. It is the most helpful thing while adjusting to walking. I was in a boot the day of surgery and stayed in that for 4 weeks the first surgery and 6 weeks on the other foot. I don't understand how you couldn't have been given one. I know it is hard to stay down that long and your foot has to be elevated higher than your heart. You should not have had to ask for one but one should have been provided. I couldn't imagine having to walk in a shoe right after surgery. I acutally slept with mine on and it provided all kinds of comfort. Please get one and use it and I would think being without one would make for scar tissue as that is too much impact on it after such a surgery.
How long ago was your surgery. It's no wonder that you have lots of pain.
Let me know how you are doing?

[RobinSchares]

I am glad that your husband is great and mine had to do everything for me. I was in the boot when I left the hosptial and long after the stitches were out. No wonder you are limping. Get a boot and wear it until you can't stand it anymore and then you are going to be ready to walk. This is the craziest thing I have heard on these posts is that you would have the surgery and not given a boot. Heck it has been 7 weeks since surgery and I still use the boot on bad days. I had neuroma and TTS both the same day, but even after weeks in a boot the transition to a shoe was still painful. Take care and get a boot to avoid any complications. A regular shoe isn't enought to protect your foot from the impact of walking. Also I think now you may need some physical therapy but then again I am not a doctor. I have 2 boots, one from each surgery and would be more than happy to get you one if I could. I am sure it was charged on the hospital bill which I will be paying on for a very long time, even with insurance. Take care

[RobinSchares]

The second surgery was done on the 12th of November and I still have pain and still wear the boot occassionally when I cannot handle the pain.
Your surgery was the 17th of December? You really need to realize that the recovery process is so slow. That really isn't that long ago. You should probably still be elevating higher than your heart. It took me 4 weeks before I could add only balance weight on it and 6 weeks until I could lose the crutches and walk (but only in the boot). Be patient as rushing it will add complications that can be worse than the origianl problem. I looked up the neuroma surgery and watched it onine so I knew what to expect but the tarsal tunnel surgery was foreign to me and completely taken aback by the scar that was left. I had no idea that it was that complicated but where they removed the neuroma there was pain in all the toes and a sharp stabbing pain for a long time. I am glad that I did the surgeries and that they are over with. I just read a post where a someone having TT surgery was cut in the wrong place and needs to re-do it. Incrediable. My heart goes out to them. Take care and keep me posted. Stay down although it takes a lot of discipline and it not so hard while being medicated but once the medication was gone I was completely restless.
Good luck. When is your follow up visit? Are you stitches out? It took 5 weeks before they took my stiches out from the 2nd surgery.