Advice for recurrent neuroma sufferer? - Foot Problems Message Board

squirrelmom · 07-06-2004, 10:45 AM

Hi All. My father has neuromas in both feet, and about a year ago underwent surgery to remove the neuromas in his left foot. The recovery was very painful, and to make matters worse it seems as though the neuromas have grown back and are even worse now than before the surgery. He now has permanent loss of sensation in three toes, constant pain, and a limp. Given the experience with the one foot, he is certainly not going to have the same treatment for the other foot.

He was operated on by a very well-known, well-respected orthopedic surgeon. He has no interest in going back to this guy given the way the first surgery went. I've advised him to seek a second or third opinion to see if there are any alternative treatments he can try. Does anyone know what else he could look into, any pros and cons, whether a second surgery would be likely to yield better results, or have any thoughts or experiences to contribute? Thanks for any advice.

KarynLR · 07-06-2004, 02:04 PM

squirrelmom,

I'm sorry your dad had a bad experience with an OS-- that's what I would have suggested! My OS just removed part of my lateral plantar nerve that got cut in endoscopic release of my plantar fascia. Technically I don't have a neuroma, but I do know that I might suffer the effects of a stump neuroma, that occurs after the nerve is removed. I'm only 7 weeks post-op, but am still feeling some shooting pains. I know nerve pain is terrible, so I feel for him!

As for options, I'm not quite sure. I love my OS, and will have him fix the recurring neuromas (if need be!) until they go away! I think some podiatrists offer sclerosing of the neuroma (alcohol injections) to kill the nerve without surgery, so you might try an American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeon certified podiatrist. You could also see a neurologist/neurosurgeon. I know it sounds weird, but the neurologist knows a lot more about drugs that target nerve pain than other specialists do, and a neurosurgeon could remove the neuroma if that's what needs to be done--since your dad doesn't like the OS.

I had consultations with both as my OS wanted to make sure we were on the right track. I did have PF that Dr. Zingas fixed along with the nerve damage, but the neurologist and neurosurgeon were MUCH more willing to write off the nerve pain than Dr. Zingas (the OS). At both consults, they literally walked into the room and said, "can't you just live with this?" Now, in my case, the EMG indicated that a smaller, peripheral nerve was damaged, yet when Dr. Zingas actually operated, the trunk of the lateral plantar nerve (a major foot nerve) had been damaged. I think that I certainly am one of Dr. Zingas's more "severly" injured patients, yet in the neuro cases, I'm probably the LEAST injured patient, which explains it... Just be forwarned of that. The neurosurgeon half-heartedly said he could cut or clean the nerve, but didn't offer much hope for improvement, and since Dr. Zingas seemed very knowledgeable with the nerve surgeries, I went with him. He was just much more positive than the others, and is committed to "fixing the problem until there's a significant improvement in pain".

Tell your dad to hang in there!

--Karyn

Fuchsia_Lay · 07-06-2004, 06:38 PM

I had neuromas removed in both feet last year - 6 weeks apart.

Now... I feel I am back to square 1, and possibly worse off

A few options:
- we can begin walking on our hands
- attempt another surgery
- ???

not fun ... and yes numb toes here also... exactly