mortons neuroma

[lizziebrush]

I have a 5mm neuroma in my right foot. I have had 2 guided injections and new orthotics, but still get pain, but not all the time. I am considering surgery? Has anyone had the procedure done and is now pain free?

[Angela123]

Hi Lizzie. I have a Morton's Neuroma in my left foot which is OK most of the time but easily triggered by things like trying on too tight shoes in a shoe shop, or recently, a new pair of slippers. I met a lady on holiday last year who'd had surgery just a few months before for her MR. She said it had transformed her life and highly recommended it. Her toes had gone back into alignment (do you find they separate where the neuroma is?) and she was back into normal shoes. I'm a long way from surgery thank goodness and haven't even had an injection yet because it doesn't show up very well on ultrasound. Good luck with whatever you decide. Angela x

[Hidden]

Hi Lizzie. I have MNs in both of my feet and they mean that my toes are spreading apart where the advanced MNs both are now. However mine are largely painless and I think this is probably because I also have a progressive small fiber neuropathy in both feet and hands (and arms and legs) so my feet are both quite numb around the toes and the only time they cause me pain is when I wear tight shoes/ boots - which I don't anymore although my feet are small and narrow with high arches so it's quite hard to strike the right balance with footwear. But I've never worn high heels or ill fitting shoes anyhow because my feet have always been very sensitive. When they occasionally give me grief it's excruciating and so I can understand the reason you are thinking of having the surgery.

There is a very strange thing that happens to my right foot every night now and I assume it's because of the MN and high levels of systemic inflammation (off RA drugs and high ESR). I wake in the night to go to the toilet and when I put my foot down I feel as if my 2nd and 3rd toes have an electric current running round them - almost as if my toes are touching an electric fence! It's not exactly painful but it is horrible in a way and affects my gait a bit during the daytime too because when my right foot touches the ground there seems to be a sharp ping where the MN is. My podiatrist says he thinks that it must be to do with the small fiber neuropathy and the inflammation affecting the MN but my RA is quiet in my feet just now so it is weird.

If mine were painful as yours are I would definitely consider having the surgery but for now I'm tolerating mine quite well as they are both quite numb! Sorry to reply with a question but do either of you have this electric current sensation with your MNs or understand what makes it so pronounced at night I wonder?

[Hidden]

I had two in the left foot and one in the right foot. Surgery was done one all three, but here's the difference. the one on the left foot were removed from the top of the foot and now am pain free. I had this done about eight years ago, it did take a long time for my foot to normal again. the one on the right foot was removed from underneath and oh boy it still causes problems with scar tissue. I have to have the have the callous parred every three weeks, if I don't get this done it hurts. This was done about six months after the left foot and the a different surgeon, same hospital. The upside now is I can wear a narrower shoe, this has happened gradually over the years, but when I went to buy my new shoes a couple of weeks ago I found the triple EEE was far too wide, so had the sizing checked professionally and sure enough my feet have narrowed. I wont buy cheap shoes and take great care to make sure these are never too narrow.

I would say have the surgery it is well worth it, be prepared for things to take time and take care post op to get your shoes fitted. Your feet will be smiling.

When I have the callous parred, I have a luxury pedicure at the same time it's bliss and I walk out on cloud. my beautician knows all about these neuromas, she says when she massages my feet at times it is like popping bubble wrap, I don't mind as my feet are looked after.