Morton's Neuroma

[chasirwin]

Hello all
I am considering surgery due to unsuccessful pills and shot therapy, and have a few questions. 40 year old active male with consistent pain in right foot and less in left. My podiatrist has diagnosed as MN and X-rays confirm it as such. Can anyone offer a referral to a good surgeon in the Central Florida area?

Thansk

CI

[BrianPK]

Think real hard before you go under the knife. This surgery has only a 70 % success rate, and a high recurrence rate. If you end up "un-successful" or get a stump neuroma in a couple of years you will be 100 times worse off than you are now. Search cryosurgery on google. Look up Dr. Marc Katz in Tampa. I went to him in March and can recommend the procedure.

[chasirwin]

Thank you very much for your reply. I am hesitant to have the procedure, but am tired of pain with every step. I am an active tennis player and really miss the sport. My golf game stinks... I will inquire about cryosurgery. BTW, where did you get a 70% sucess rate number from? I'd like to determine success rate based on where it is, and whether they go in from the top or bottom of foot and if I should do both at the same time.

CI

[camperfan]

Hi there!

Can I suggest you look at my latest posts on Re-dressing and Mortons tingling... ??

Re-dressing deals with the relative merits of top or bottom surgery and Morton's tingling with whether to have both feet done at once. On the latter point, as you'll see, my experience would definitely suggest one at a time. I am really regretting having a foot operated on that didn't absolutely need it as it's worse now than it was before. But that said, I also have to tell you that I met someone recently who had them done together, was skipping around quite quickly and is now fine!

[BrianPK]

Here is a good article on Morton's surgery. Nerves are universally almost NEVER removed from the body. They will always try & grow back, many times as a stump neuroma. I have been battling Mortons in both feet since December, and I am seeing results with using Cryo as my most agressive therapy. Do not expect quick recovery, do not expect "immediate" relief. Find out why you got Morton's in the first place. Mine is due to faulty foot mechanics from calf and hamstring muscles that are too tight, which in turn cause my arches to collapse. You have to solve the root cause of the problem not just treat the symptom. I've left you two links, one to a research paper, one to a website for a different type of orthotic (solesupports) that adresses foot mechanics in a manner different from the traditional "root" orthotic. I have spent a lot of money on shoes, orthotics, celebrex, etc. A cortisone shot made it worse, the Cryo helped but it takes time for the procedure to work and may need to be repeated for best results. I am currently travelling to Colorado from Wisconsin to work with a pedorthist who makes orthotics using the theories developed by solesupports. Locally, I faced only men with knives using the same techniques that have been used for literally a hundred years. It's your body, your choice. Once they cut there is no turning back and they have no liability should you be a "failure". Take your time, make an informed decision.

http://www.mdguidelines.com/excision-of-mortons-neuroma
www.solesupports.com

[chasirwin]

Thank you both for responding and insight into your particular situation. I did speak to Dr. Katz's office this morning and have reviewed his web site. I'll post on how I proceed. I visit my podiatrist in two days and will ask about Cryo and traditional surgery. I called them last week and said I want to have the surgery and the office said to sspeak to the doctor on my next visit. Initially, my Pod said that surgery was no big deal and rarely needs to happen. Perhaps that is not the case. It wll be interesting to hear what he has to say about Cryo technique. Again many thanks for the links and comments....

CI

Where is the spell check on this forum???

[Unhappy Golfer]

Chasirwin.
I notice your Golfer, are you left handed ? I ask because as a right hander my Nuroma was in my left foot.The front foot as you swing is the one that takes all the pressure .I have noticed the Ladies seem to get the Nuroma from wearing Heals /tight fashion footware where as us blokes seem to all be Golfers or Tennis players (same swing action).

If Im wide of the mark,thats fine, I was just wondering

[chasirwin]

No sir... right handed with a nasty slice(sometimes). But I predominately play tennis and push off with my right foot on serve and forehand, Interestingly, my sister had the same condition in her right foot and with surgery has great success over a 4 year period. is there any evidence to hereditary passage?

CI

[Unhappy Golfer]

Not sure its hereditary Chaswin but with your occasional slice I guesse you have a reverse pivot putting your wieght on your back foot (insert smiley here) I am convinced golf was a major contributor to my MN