Bunion surgery a year ago, and now Morton's Neuroma - Foot Problems Message Board

tootsie:) · 03-03-2008, 05:11 PM

It has been a long while since I last posted on this board...I have been waiting patiently for my foot to feel well again and thought time would do the trick. Well, last week I finally thought enough was enough and so I made the 5 hour journey to see my surgeon. He has diagnosed a neuroma much to my suprise, as all this time I thought the discomfort was still from my bunion surgery. All my dr. did was push on the nerve areas to see if it was painful which of course it was. He also injected anesthetic into the nerve which helped a bit but not much. I also opted for a steroid injection which except for maybe a bit the next day, has not really helped either. So I am just wondering if there is anyone out there that has had this condition and if you had some sort of a diagnostic test (ultra sound/MRI, etc.) to diagnose it. I was told that an ultra sound would not really show anything and that I am so far down on the priority list for an MRI that I would be waiting a year to have one. I am planning to get a second opinion and will pay for an MRI myself if I have to because I just want confirmation that this is what in fact is going on. Am also curious about options for this condition. I have heard that the steroid/alcohol injections aren't usually effective, that decompression of the nerve/cutting the ligament is the worst thing to do and removal of the nerve although it sometimes can work, can have it's share of complications. Any advice or information on this would be so greatly appreciated as my anxiety and discomfort over all this for the past year is becoming almost unbearable. Thanks for any replies.

Titchou · 03-03-2008, 05:30 PM

OK, the steroid won't help. It should be alcohol alone. And usually, if it's going to work, it will in 3 injections. If not by then, forget it. Decompression is definitely NOT the way to go. You'll have problem down the road from the bones moving. Removal is really pretty easy - or was for me. I was off work only that day. Drove 350 miles by myself on the 3rd day. No crutches but slow walking as getting the weight shifted to dissipate the swelling takes some time to accomplish. Mine was done about 7 years ago and have had no problems. I dance, jog, wear heels, etc.
Just make sure the surgeon has done a lot of them and done them successfully. Not sure how you go about that in Canada with your NHS but I normally recommend that people contact the front office of the nearest pro football or basketball team or the athletic department at a majoy university and ask who they use for this.

Good luck!

creative2 · 03-03-2008, 09:02 PM

A diagnostic ultrasound is an excellent way to confirm the existence of a neuroma. Just make sure you go to someone who is well versed in muscular skeletal ultrasound.

creative2 · 03-03-2008, 09:02 PM

A diagnostic ultrasound is an excellent way to confirm the existence of a neuroma. Just make sure you go to someone who is well versed in muscular skeletal ultrasound.

tootsie:) · 03-04-2008, 10:17 AM

Thanks for the information, ladies. I figured as much about the ultrasound and so I find it really strange why my dr. was unwilling to send me for one. Trying to get an appt. with my family dr. has proved to be a real challenge as I can't get in to see him until next month. So today I will be going to the emergency room at the local hospital to see someone in order to hopefully get a referral to a specialist. And Lord knows how long it will take to see one of those! I have a feeling if I want anything done anytime soon I'm going to be shelling out some big bucks. Oh well, I have to be grateful that I have the funds to do this at least. So much for having medical coverage! Thanks again.