Morton's Neuroma -- A Pain in the Foot

I knew I needed a permanent fix! I did my online research and read a lot of information that seemed to contradict the FIRST podiatrist's description of the surgery!!

You see, I had thought that surgery was from the bottom of the foot--I felt that sounded like it would take too long to heal--so, I waited the two years. Thanks to the internet, you can find lots of pertinent information, including graphic pictures to give you an idea of what it is and what methods of treatment you can consider.

I had surgery on December 17, 2007 and am documenting my experience in this lenses so that other sufferers of a "Morton's Neuroma" will have a first-hand resource to help them. I hope my experience may be beneficial to enlighten others! I love to hear from you if you want to discuss your personal experience!

In January 2006, I was diagnosed with a Morton's Neuroma in my initial consultant with a podiatrist.

The doctor took my history along with a couple of x-rays of my foot. He performed a manipulation of the second and third toes on my right foot. There was actually the classic "clicking" sensation with my second toe, which initially made me think I had a broken toe.

After the manipulation, the doctor was able to stimulate the "Morton's Neuroma" in that I began experiencing the foot pain that first brought me to him.

It was at this first visit that surgical intervention was discussed. I opted to wait until I was prepared to proceed.

Photo Credit:  Foot Doc.

Fast forward to early December 2007, nearly two years after my fist visit to a podiatrist. As the podiatrist that I had first seen had "moved on" to a new location, I saw the podiatrist that once shared office space with the previous doctor. Luckily, he had my records and x-rays.

It was at this visit that I was prepared, before seeing the doctor, to even HAVE surgery the same day if possible! Yes, that's how serious I was about seeking relief.

Again, it was a reiteration of the previous visit and an update of my foot pain along with anything new. That day, I was offered the choice of a cortisone injection to immediately "numb" the pain. I opted out of that form of treatment as I did not want a temporary solution. I was given a referral to a foot specialist who performs the type of surgery I require.

I scheduled an appointment for a couple days later.

It's a few days later and I've gotten in to see a "foot specialist" who has done thousands of cases of Morton's Neuroma.

After a couple more x-rays and the sharing of my history and symptoms, I get the news that my symptoms are not 100% classic, but rather atypical of a Morton's Neuroma. It's thought I have a ligament tear and subluxation of the toe joint!

An MRI is ordered for later that week.

I've been scheduled very quickly for the MRI.

Your foot is positioned in a brace while you lay on your stomach throughout the procedure. I found this most uncomfortable as anyone who has had an MRI will tell you, the bed of the MRI is HARD! Well, after 30 minutes, I was happy to get up from that bed.

The MRI results were interpreted ... although my symptoms were not classic Morton's Neuroma, palpitation of the foot pad, along with manipulation of my toes consistently produced the popping/clicking sound along with pain.

I was given two options of treatment -- a conservative approach which involved a series of alcohol-base injections into the foot. Results were reported to be successful 50% of the time. The other option was surgery. "I'll take the surgery ... can we do it Friday?"

Well, the doctor was willing to have it done Friday, but the outpatient facility was booked solid. So, surgery was scheduled for Monday at 6:30am.

We reported to the Outpatient Facility bright and early. Many trees were killed for my paperwork! Next, we were greeted by a very friendly welcoming nurse who did the weigh-in. I was given a nice plaid hospital gown to change into and then had my vitals taken along with the insertion of the scary IV [I HATE that part!].

I met the anesthesiologist who explained what he'd be doing. I didn't know that I'd have BOTH a local in the foot and twilight. After waiting a short bit, I said goodbye to hubby and was wheeled across the room to another docking area where I was hooked up to a blood pressure monitor. I met a few more nurses and was given two injections into my IV that put me out while my foot was injected with the local. I was told that the alkaline substance for the local burns and feels like a bee stinging -- since it can be so painful, that's why you're "knocked out."

I'm pretty sure that I came to briefly after the local as I thought someone told me that they had just given me the shots in my foot.

I lost track of time as the next thing I remembered was being shown a jar with my Morton's Neuroma and being told HOW REALLY BIG it was! "So it was a Morton's Neuroma!" I think I said. I remember it being creamy yellow in color and about the size of a chickpea or garbanzo bean!

I was released by 8:30am with instructions for rest, ice packs, keeping the foot elevated, and ibuprofen for pain. A follow-up visit with my doctor was scheduled for 3 days out.

As you can see, my foot is pretty well bandaged so that it fits into NONE of my flat shoes or sandals. I did find a pair of hubby's all-terrain sandals that have two velcro closures ... so I'm using that for my right shoe.

The day of surgery I rested on the sofa with my foot up and iced my foot throughout the day. I believe the local hadn't worn off yet, so it felt OK. You don't realize how much you need to "walk" or use your foot until you've had foot surgery! By the end of the day, I was feeling discomfort on the underside of my foot.

The next day, my discomfort seemed to be more on the top of the foot -- perhaps the injection areas or the incision?

The second day after surgery I was actually able to put on my hubby's shoe and drive about 15 minutes to an appointment without too much discomfort.

My return visit to the podiatrist was 3 days after surgery when he changed my bandage. For some reason, that visit coincided with the increased discomfort from the ball of my foot when trying to walk. It's been necessary to hobble and balance on the heel of the surgical foot.

It's now 6 days since surgery -- with the assistance of my hubby -- I've got a picture of my foot from the top and sole. As you can see, the bruising isn't too bad and the swelling is now fairly limited to the ball of my foot.

Since the podiatrist changed my dressing, I've kept my foot elevated as much as possible and used ice off and on throughout the day. I was instructed by the podiatrist when he changed my dressing that I should be applying ice to the ball of the foot. So the fifth day was the longest day that my foot was "on ice."

You can see the 3 stitches which we actually removed in the BVI on a catamaran on the 13th day! Normally, stitches are removed 12-14 days after surgery.

Well, I am officially released some 8 weeks after surgery for the excision of the Morton's Neuroma on my right foot. However, I had an MRI of my left foot to rule-out another Morton's Neuroma.

Results are in:
1. Intermetatarsal bursitis. No Morton's neuroma seen.
2. There are small metatarsophalangeal joint effusions diffusely.
3. First metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis.

Interesting enough, the MRI of my right foot didn't show a Morton's Neuroma ... either!

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