Morton’s neuroma surgery recovery part 5

[@michaelreisman5695]

Hi. Thanks for sharing. I had Mortons Nueroma surgery 3 weeks ago but it still feels the same. Same pain. What should I expect?

[@adamscastle6222]

Sorry it took me a while to reply. Are you doing better now? It takes longer for the nerve to heal than it does for the skin and muscle. The recovery period is tough, but it does get better over time. Hang in there!

[@michaelreisman5695]

@adamscastle6222 thanks Adam! It's a been about 7 weeks. Making some slow progress. Back to wearing normal shoes. A little tightness, a bit achy, some numbers mainly. No limping, which is nice. Hoping you are ok!

[@adamscastle6222]

@@michaelreisman5695 Glad to hear that there is some improvement. Its a slow process at first, but getting back into normal shoes again is a big step. I am doing well, I just did a 12 mile hike in the Dolly Sods Wilderness, WV and it went really well.

[@rickdunne6978]

Outstanding series of recovery interval videos by Adam with great advice. Oftentimes people only see negative postings about neuroma excision surgery and it scares many who could really benefit from having it performed. Videos/postings by people who have actually undergone the operation really provide excellent recovery advice and recommendations/tips that sometimes the doctor/surgeon really can't or doesn't provide since they haven't gone through the procedure themselves. Great job Adam!

[@adamscastle6222]

I am glad that you enjoyed the videos! Furthermore, I worry about folks who need this surgery (or any other surgery) yet they put it off which only increases recovery time and complications. For those who complain about their surgeries it is often the case (not every case) that they simply waited too long. People do need and should hear the success stories too!

[@nancyhunter3293]

Hi Adam, I am glad to see that you are doing better but in my case I have had this problem since a podiatrist injected my left foot and hit a nerve, if I would have known that this was a risk I would have NEVER been injected with anything. After all when I get home and sit the pain would go away but now I can't even prepare myself a meal since the 25 of November the day he injected me and I live alone and no car! I've tried suing him and no attorney here in Salt Lake City wants to take the case. I am devastated and taking Hydrocodone to deal with the pain, even brushing my teeth in the morning is an ordeal. 2 podiatrists want to operate but I am looking into a Decompression procedure, I can't take any chances of the Neuroma coming back! I am desperate at this point. I had so many plans for my life this year and this has destroyed all of them!

[@adamscastle6222]

I had an injection in my foot as well. Directly into the nerve. But at the time the neuroma was already in bad shape. The injection put the pain off for about a month and then it came back. This is typical with cortisone injections. They are not cures, but they do provide temporary relief for some. And it did serve a purpose as it confirmed that I did have Morton’s neuroma (since the pain returned). Realize that the nerves in your foot are typically the size of a pencil lead. And when a neuroma develops the mass becomes the size of a pencil. There is no room for that in the foot which makes it painful. Why did you get your foot injection? Were you having Morton’s symptoms before your foot injection?

[@georgizagorchev9655]

I've had Morton's Neuroma for 5 years now. I tried foot exercises, physio therapy with ultrasound and an anti inflammatory gel. Nothing worked. I'm considering the surgery but I'm too big of a pussy for now because of all the bad comments I've read that it might get even worse from the surgery. I don't know what to do.

[@adamscastle6222]

Sorry to hear that. Sounds like you tried all of the conservative treatments already. I am sure some people had bad experiences with the surgery. But their experience is not going to be yours, each situation is unique. I will say the longer a person who needs surgery puts off, the worse the neuroma will get. I suggest talking with a good orthopedic surgeon (not a podiatrist) and discuss your options before making a decision. I'm not saying having surgery is an easy decision or that you need it. But if your doctor says you need it then your options are deal with the pain or have the surgery. For me the pain was too much and I opted for the surgery. Again, every situation is unique, talk with your doc. Hang in there.

[@georgizagorchev9655]

​@@adamscastle6222 Thank you so much for you kind words. I will talk with a orthopedic surgeon. This problem changed my life in a very negative way, For example, in the past I used to jump on rope almost every day. Currently, I don't do it because the nerve begins to hurt. Sometimes even just from walking a few minutes it starts to hurt like hell. Is your pain completely gone now and do you have any negative side effects, besides the numbness on the toes, years later?

[@adamscastle6222]

@@georgizagorchev9655 I had the most issues with my neuroma when I tried to fall asleep. That is why it became intolerable for me. Anything that disturbs my sleep is a big issue that needs to be fixed. I hike a lot, about 20 miles a week. I have had no issues with nerve pain when hiking or sleeping. For me, the surgery worked well. Surgery is not an instant fix because it takes a while to heal. But it was worth the several months of recovery time since things gradually and steadily improved.

[@linz9510]

​@@adamscastle6222what kind of surgery did you get if you don't mind me asking? Also can you continue to hike normally after? Thanks !

[@adamscastle6222]

@@linz9510 they removed a section of damaged nerve from my foot. The damaged nerve is called a neuroma. The surgery was a success and I’m hiking more than ever these days.

[@mnwolf2870]

Hi Adam. Thanks for the series of videos. I developed morton's neuroma last Thanksgiving. I just had a endoscopic cervical foraminotomy just 2 months before. I have neuromas in both feet. Also developed a herniated disc at L5-s1. Then came the news of cubital tunnel in left elbow. To top it off the spine surgeon says I need an ADR in my neck. I'm going to see about right knee tomorrow. So 2 surgeries down and 4 pending....I'm going to have the right neuroma excision ASAP. I'm having problems walking now. How are doing now?

[@adamscastle6222]

I am much better now thankfully. Of the five nerve surgeries that I have had the Morton’s was the most challenging. Hang in there.

[@mnwolf2870]

@@adamscastle6222 just had the evaluation today. Won't get cubital until late June or July. Likely lateral meniscus tear in right knee. That's makes pending surgery #4. Hoping to get right neuroma done at end of May. Apparently surgeries are the only thing ill be doing this summer and year.

[@adamscastle6222]

@@mnwolf2870 that is a bummer. But hopefully the surgeries will be successful and resolve the issues. Hang in there.

[@mnwolf2870]

@@adamscastle6222 im trying. Meniscus is not torn but lots of cartilage damage. Doc says no surgery but nsaids and rest. Which I've already been doing. But he was willing to schedule cubital. SMH. So I'm getting the neuroma thats getting worse addressed. Then I will push for knee surgery. No sense in doing anything else if I can't walk. All I can do is hope and pray for the best......

[@shawnfranz6525]

How are you feeling these days?? I just had surgery one week ago and feeling a little anxious about the outcome. Any restrictions with your foot now?

[@adamscastle6222]

Its much better now. Not perfect as I have since developed plantar fasciitis in the same foot, but I am working on that. It does take some time to recover and everyone is different, but stay focused on the fact that it will get better over time. Once you get out of the boot or dressing that you are probably still in things will start to get noticeably better, but at it's own pace. If I had to do it again I would probably consider PT after, or least do more stretching and some exercising for the foot. Hang in there.

[@shawnfranz6525]

Thanks a lot - much appreciated. Definitely seems like the recovery can take a while....gonna try my best to be patient and not overdo it...thanks for the advice! Hope you get the plantar fasciitis sorted out!

[@shawnfranz6525]

Also curious if you have any issues with certain footwear?

[@adamscastle6222]

@@shawnfranz6525 I suspect that lots of hiking, and I mean lots, plus undersized hiking shoes may have caused my Mortons. I have wide feet and last time I had them measured (which is like once every two decades) he told me I am a size 11 double wide. I have been wearing size 10.5 wide for years. I cant believe it took me that long to buy the right size footwear! So that's my recommendation. Buy the right size for your foot and avoid really cheap stuff like sketchers.

[@shawnfranz6525]

@@adamscastle6222 Just wanted to ask if you got your plantar fasciitis sorted out? I've made some good progress with my neuroma surgery healing but ended up with the same issue as you - plantar fasciitis. Any suggestions for that? Thanks!