[sevencielos]

I have had pain in the balls of both feet for over two yrs. Right foot became unbearable with shooting electric shocks through my toes. Finally went to Podiatrist after not being able to walk without pain. She said she thought it was MN and sent me for an MRI on both feet. MRI came back positive for MN. I actually have two on each foot! I like to keep things even! One of them on the right foot is 4mm. Is this considered large? I am having surgery on Wed. for the two on the rt. foot. I am a teachers assistant in a middle school. Dr. is telling me that I will be off work for 6 wks. This seems a little extreme. Is it unrealistic to expect to go back to work in a wheelchair at 2 wks? I can keep my foot propped up, no problem. I just can't imagine being away from my job for 6 wks. Please let me know how your recoveries went. I know it is a very painful surgery. I apparently have a high pain tolerance since I have let this go for two yrs.
Also did your Dr. put drains in?
ANy info you all that have been through this can give me will be greatly appreciated. I am 47 and have had 5 children, all grown...I'm pretty tuff but this is worrying me a little. How long will I need help? My Mom and sister are coming for about 5 days then it will just be hubby and a couple of my children.

thanks in advance to anyone that can give me some advice
Lori

[stewbus37]

Actually, i was in less pain right after the surgery than i was before. I have had 2 surgeries this year. The first one I had done in February but of course, I was one of the 10 percent of people that had complications. My second surgery was 7 weeks ago and i am back to work. I work as a grocery bagger at a commissary and am on my feet walking back and forth for 5 hours a day. The first 3 hours are ok but after that I start getting sore.
I am definately better than before the surgeries but am ready to be pain free. Good luck with your surgery. Make sure you keep your ankle and under your knee iced for the first week. This helps keep the pain down.

[WJH]

Hi Lori,
You will have had your surgery by now so will have first hand experience and answers to your questions. I wrote a post about my experience on 23.8.08 '4 weeks after surgery' and again 22.12.08 '4 months after surgery & doing great'. I do remember it was a long recovery & some days( & nights) having a constant heavy throbbing pain in my foot. Keeping it elevated it essential, especially if you develop a haemotoma. You may be lucky enough to be back at work within 4-6 weeks but I doubt if you will have a spring in your step. I took photos of mine to monitor the progress (looking back they are quite gory) and at 4 weeks you can see my enlarged foot & the swollen pad underneath restricting my toes from touching the ground. A year on I can say it was a great success & I continue to do excercise & regular 5 mile walks but have to stop to relieve the pain in my other foot now. I am looking for alternative treatments to avoid going through another surgery though! Good luck in your recovery.
Wendy.