Morton's Neuroma

[alwaysunderfoot]

Hi I am new to this forum (or any) but I need help to decide whether to have surgery for MN. Had bunionectomy & osteotomy 9/2006 which went fairly well. Still have quite a bit of trouble walking very much. The MN is in the same foot and was never there before. Could it be from the other surgery? Also, does anyone know how long it takes to recover from surgery for MN? Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks!

[RobinSchares]

I had the first surgery on Sept. 10th and was walking (in the boot) 2 weeks after the surgery and this last surgery was on the 12th of November for the right foot and over 3 weeks post op I still have the stitches in. I have not been able to put any weight on the foot for the last 3 weeks and wonder how people have this surgery that live alone or have jobs. I also had tarsal tunnel surgery on both feet at the same time and think that is the reason I cannot walk yet. They cut fairly deep this last time to tie off a bunch of veins and the cut was much longer. I didn't have just the neuroma so not sure how long that takes for recovery by itself. I read these posts and am fearful that I will have a stump neuroma or scar tissue and not be able to go back to work. Good luck to you!

[alwaysunderfoot]

Thanks for the info. I hope you are doing better. I really hate the thought of having anything at all done again. I also have to have a screw removed from prior surgery. I've read alot of scary stuff about removing these nerves. Thanks again for your reply. Keep me posted on your progress.

[RobinSchares]

Seen the doc on Wed. and got the release to walk (somewhat) but experiencing pain when I do too much. I was told that he sensed some scar tissue which is why I had to go other week and half before walking. I am going to take it real easy the next few weeks and then after 2 weeks I get to get rid of the boot and walk in a regular shoe. I had a bad night regarding pain last night. I could not get comfortable because I believe I had a lot of swelling due to walking to much. Did you have surgery? How are you doing?
Good luck to you as well.

[RobinSchares]

what type of surgery did you have that required a screw? How are they going to remove that? I don't think the neuroma on the right foot was nearly as bad as the one on the left, at least I am not having the same god-awful pain that it caused on the left one. I think whenever they mess with a nerve it is bad but think that better than them messing with a bone. I think that would be horribly painful. I also had a tarsal tunnel surgery at the same time so I think sometimes it is hard to tell what pain if from what. They also thought I had a cyst on the right foot which turned out to be a glob of veins which they tied off so the swelling is considerable in this foot. I have waitressed all my life and have pounded on them for years and think the next job is going to be a sit down job. I wonder how people that have jobs or kids are able to have this surgery and do the necessary recovery time? How do they manage to do that? I don't have a job that requires me to punch in or kids that need tending to and still struggled with the length of recovery time. Any tell me how they did that?
I am looking forward to shopping or anything without pain in the future and hope I don't experince scar tissue that is painful or a stump neuroma or any of the other implications that I read about on here. Those are the reasons that I am playing by the rules regarding recovery.

[alwaysunderfoot]

Sorry to hear you're not doing so well. I haven't had surgery yet. I go back to the doc Tues. Haven't made up my mind yet about the neuroma. I still have a screw from bunion surgery 14 months ago. It has caused alot of pain. Now they tell me I have a screw loose- like I haven't heard that before. Hope you have a better night tonight. I'm afraid I will have a rough one. Did a lot of christmas shopping today! Oh what fun when your feet are killing you!

[RobinSchares]

Have not started on the shopping. I think the bunion would be worse than the neuroma but not having a bunion problem I could be wrong. I think when you deal with the bone that would be painful. Last night was better but not great. I have pain meds but they don't work through the whole night. Right after surgery they gave me a 24 hour morphine pill that was real effective but I don't take that anymore. It has been painful since I was released to walk. I am glad that I had the surgery though, as I tried everything before doing it. I am looking forward to going back to work and being productive without pain. We'll see. I wish you luck in whatever path you choose to take but my experience was that it was not going to go away or get better. It was considerably worse throughout the years. Take care and let me know what you decide and make sure that you get a good physician.

[alwaysunderfoot]

Go back to the dr. tomorrow. Still cannot decide whether to have the MN removed. I guess I'm kinda scared after the bunionectomy and osteotomy surgery caused so much pain. But I have to have the screw removed anyway so.... I probably will. I think I have a pretty good ortho. physician. The only problem is that he doesn't tell you anything. He evidently thinks I should know! But seriously I wish he would give better post-op instructions. Hope you are still doing well. Best of luck.

[RobinSchares]

Good luck in your decision? What are the alternatives if you don't have the surgery? I found the doctor less than forthcoming with the recovery process and have asked about physical therapy and told it wasn't necessary but still having considerable pain 4 weeks post op. The other foot that was operated on in September however is doing great and even able to wear a small heal on that foot.

[alwaysunderfoot]

4 weeks is really not that long I suppose for the surgery you had is it? My doctor didn't recommend therapy when I had my other surgery. Almost everyone I read about had therapy. Makes me wonder if it would have speeded my progress. That's my main problem I guess. I can't stand to have to sit around. I'm a stay at home mom (although my kid is now 16!!) but I'm seldom ever still. I do a little bit of everything for everyone else. I really don't think there's much to try before surgery. Did the shots and didn't help. When do you have to return to dr. (for what good it sometimes does!)