Morton's Neuroma - Foot Problems Message Board

jgm77055 · 10-03-2004, 01:18 PM

MY DR WANTS TO DO STEROID SHOTS FIRST BEFORE SURGERY
DOES ANYONE HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THIS
AND IS THERE ANY TOPICAL CREAM THAT CAN HELP THE PAIN
jAMES

CJBermuda · 10-04-2004, 07:13 AM

Hello,

I have had 4 shots. 3 before surgery. You do get a bit of relief and every case is different.

My personal experience is that they eventually wore off after a few days. The last one that I had a few weeks ago, lasted a while but then the pain kicked in a little worse than it was before.

My only advice, is to make sure that the person administering knows what they are doing. After my first 3 I had atrophy on the top of my foot, which is a white patch. That is caused when the Dr. puts in the needle and pulls it out a little then the shot ends up on the first few layers of the skin instead of where it should be. The white patch eventually disappeared after my surgery.

Good luck...

ekgoal · 10-06-2004, 11:46 AM

There really isn't any good cream that will decrease your symptoms.

Only allow surgery if it is in the space between the 3rd and 4th toes (the big toe being number 1). There are far too many misdiagnosed "Morton's Neuromas" that are removed from the space between the 2nd and 3rd toes. It is usually more of a reaction to the movement of joint in your foot causing a "capsulitis" or inflammation of the joint around the toe and NOT a nerve problem. The nerve is cut out, the symptoms go away temporarily, and because it wasn't a nerve problem in the first place, the symptoms return.

Injections, placement of pads in the shoes and shoes that are as wide as possible are the conservative treatments for the condition.

As with any surgery, there are risks associated with the surgery - namely the wound not healing properly, infection, and attempted "regrowth" of the nerve. If the nerve attempts to regrow you get a condition called a "stump" neruoma and those symptoms are worse than those that you are currently having.

Again, make sure that the procedure or injection for that matter is NOT going to be in the space between the 2nd and 3rd toes. Almost never is there truely a "neuroma" in that space.

CJBermuda · 10-06-2004, 11:53 AM

ekgoal,

Interesting......

I think I was the opposite of what you explained. I have the nerve problem, which the nerve was trapped between a ligament. The liagment was split to allow space, but now I have the pain all over again, which the nerve is inflammed. I had another injection that lasted for approx 2 weeks, Now I am back to square one again. This is a real hinderance to my activites, yoga, pilates, ballet and salsa.

I am now considering another surgery so that I can enjoy myself once again...

tks

goodluck · 10-13-2004, 11:54 AM

If you care about your bones try to avoid steroid and I would not rush for a surgery either.
Recently someone mentioned to me a relatively new treatment with Low Level Laser, which is also called "cold laser". Doing Google search I found some info about it.
Anyone knows more about it? any personal experience?