Morton's Neuroma

[zacca]

I have been suffering from plantar fasciitis in both feet for almost three years, have had every type of conservative treatment, including 6 cortisone shots,orthotics, one month intensive physical therapy Went to the hospital again this week as surgery is the final stage, to be told that I now have a Mortons neuroma in one foot.They gave me an injection while there and I am going for an MRI scan next week.Does anyone else have both these conditions?I believe that the inflammation from the plantar fasciitis has caused the neuroma I am so tired of the pain, I have tried everything to relieve it and take so much medication that I am probably addicted.Now the pain is keeping me awake at night. It is not acceptable for anyone to have to suffer like this. I would rather have my feet amputed than live like this, extreme I know but that is how I feel. Is anyone else having difficulties coping with the pain?I will try anything.

[Edith]

Hi I suffered terrible with Plantar. What finally helped me was a corrective orthic made by foot-max it puts your foot in the position so the ligament can heal. It took awhile and I had to hace the orthic adjust a few times. But it eventually got better, it was very bad I could hardly walk. I now have Morton's in both feet and am scheduled for surgery on Sept. 21 and am a bit worried about that. Edith

[zacca]

Thanks Edith for your reply.I have orthotics which were custom made for me by the hospital, they help somewhat but now I have the neuroma it is too painful to wear any kind of shoes, so am in sandals which are not good for the plantar fasciitis!I have been for my MRI scan today, so now have to wait for the results and to find out what they are going to do, they say surgery. I have good days and bad days with the pain level,on bad days I take ibuprofen,codeine and paracetamol. I used to take tramadol but I cant sleep at all when I take it.What have you taken to help with the pain? Are you going to have surgery on both your feet at the same time? Have they told you what to expect? I am relieved to be able to talk to someone else in a similar situation, none of my friends have ever heard of these conditions.

[smcguinn]

Hi Zacca,

I am going through something very similar and I am at my wit's end. Early in the summer, I was diagnosed with Plantar's in both feet. Had orthotics made, was told to stretch, ice, etc. Then, on August 10th, I had a bone spur removed from the top of my right foot. I had lived with it for way too long thinking it was a pinched nerve. Well, the spur was pressing on the nerve. So I had that removed under IV sedation and hobbled around in a surgical shoe for a while. At around the same time, I developed a Morton's Neuroma in my left foot behind the third toe. So I decided to kill two birds with one stone: I asked the pod to inject me for that, during the bone spur procedure. Well, it didn't help. My next move: cryosurgery a couple of weeks ago to freeze the d*** thing. It swelled even more and is finally settling down but is by no way gone. So I'm thinking it didn't take. And the fun goes on: I now have a neuroma in my right foot, same place as the left.
I am doing everything possible to avoid surgery so I will probably have another cryo. Have you heard about the alcohol injections that supposedly kill the nerve? Unfortunately, you need like seven of them and they are not pleasant, from what I've heard.

I can't believe none of my friends have ever heard of these, either. Morton's is fairly common as is Plantar Fasciitis.

I'm taking ibuprofin, sometimes vicoden, a lot of icing......and alcohol. I'm very, very depressed about this so I feel your pain.

By the way, I can't even wear sandals. I wear athletic shoes in the biggest sizes I can find, and slippers at home. (Scholl makes a pretty cushy one.) I'm also going to order Crocs Rx shoes from footsmart.com.

[Edith]

Well after reading some of these posts I am thinking I am pretty good compared to alot of people and I have cancelled my surgery for Sept. 21. I am going to look into the laser surgery. Edith

[smcguinn]

Edith,

What does the laser surgery entail?

Thanks.

Sherry

[zacca]

Hi Sherry, sorry to hear of your foot problems. I have heard of this cryo but dont know if it is done here, also the alcohol injections but I dont think I would want to try those. I had 6 infiltrations for my plantar fasciitis and whilst some of them gave me some temporary relief, the end result is the same. I now have my next appointment at the hospital for 9 October so another month ahead of misery. I am hoping they will offer me surgery for both my problems. The thing is I see different doctors each time who tell me different things. I think I am in a no win situation,without the surgery I cant ever see things improving, I know the surgery is risky, but what have I got to lose and there is a chance I could be either cured , pain free, or reduced pain at least.Little did I know 3 years ago that I would be like this now, basically a cripple, nearly a drug addict.I do use electrotherapy at home( tens unit) which helps a bit.I dont think anyone really understands what I am going through, unless like us you have these problems, and at least we can talk about it here, share advice and support each other.You have my sympathy and I hope you are not suffering too much, zacca.

[zacca]

Hi Edith, I was surprised to read you have cancelled your surgery for your neuromas, however if the laser will get rid of them without surgery that sounds like a good option. Let me know how you get on,zacca.

[smcguinn]

Thank you, Zacca.

I totally understand what you are going through. My foot problems appeared seemingly overnight, although in retrospect, I probably ignored certain clues.

Now, I feel as if I've spent the whole summer at the podiatrist. I go again on 9/12 and will report that not only do I still feel the neuroma in my left foot (after cryo), but now have one in my right foot that's even more painful.

I am hoping that I can repeat the cryo and get better results. Sometimes, a repeat is necessary. Apparently, this is a procedure that has become increasingly popular. Can you find out if it is available in your area? (I'm guessing that you are a Brit, correct?) At least the procedure itself wasn't painful. Had it under IV sedation and felt nothing.

This is so physically and emotionally draining. I maybe have two or three pairs of shoes that I can wear (with one of them being slippers) and frankly, none of them give me 100% relief.

Let's definitely stay in touch and support one another. I will relay any new info I find. I'm so sorry for your discomfort.

Sherry

[Edith]

Hi Sherry I will let you know when I find out I guess it is down by a laser light I will be phoning the Dr. in Maple Ridge b.C. who does this shortly and get back to you. Lorena