Hope after two failed neuroma surgerys

I wanted to post some information that may help some people who are suffering with Morton’s neuroma. I had two neuromas in my left foot between my second and third and third and fourth toes. I tried everything the doctors told me to do to no avail. I tried several pairs of orthotics, cortisone injections, and alcohol injections. After seeing three doctors, I decided to have the surgery. The doctor decided to cut both of the nerves back. Unfortunately, it was an unsuccessful surgery. The pain only became worse. A year later after trying many more unsuccessful treatments I found a doctor that I trusted and liked and he said he could only fix one at that point and there was no guarantee. He implied that at the time of the first surgery the doctor should have cut the nerves further back and tucked them into the muscle. He basically just cut them off of the end and left them there to become tangled into my scar tissue which made the pain worse. Another thing I learned is that you should have physical therapy after the surgery to help reduce the buildup of scar tissue, especially in my case because I had two done at the same time. You also need to massage the scar area often on your own to prevent it from getting too thick.

I had the second surgery with a little improvement but not much. This time the doctor had to go in from the bottom of my foot. He cut back the scar tissue and untangled the nerve and cut it back into the muscle. He did the best he could. I have been wearing nothing but flip flops for the past several years summer and cold winters in New York. Any shoe or tight sock causes me pain and walking around for more than 25 minutes is almost unbearable. Until, yes! I tried a product called Correct Toes. It really helps. It is an insert that fits between your toes to separate them. I guess it takes the pressure off of the nerve. I can walk around the store in a shoe if I want to go shopping. I still have pain but no where near as bad. I haven’t gone for an actual walk for any substantial distance yet but I am so happy with being able to go out in the cold in a shoe. The only shoes I could find that they work with so far are Uggs. They are the only shoe that is wide enough to accommodate the inserts. There is a list of shoes that you can buy that have a wide toe box on the correct toes website. I am going to try another type and am also going to try the five finger shoes and will let you know my results. Those are shoes that look like toe socks. This is not an ad and anyone can contact me if they need help. I wish I had tried the inserts before I had the surgery and I would urge anyone to try them first. You don’t want to end up like me with a failed surgery! I hope this helps someone out there! I told myself years ago if I find a way to alleviate my pain I will share it. Being in pain all the time is so horrible and no one knows unless they have been there.

Welcome and thanks for sharing. Sounds like you finally got a good surgeon just a bit late. Everything he said to you from tucking to therapy to prevent build-up of scar tissue is on the money and doesn't just necessarily apply to your particular surgical procedure but good advice for most. I'm glad you found something that works and most of us here end up trying out all kinds of things in searching for ways to alleviate even just some of our pain and nothing surprises me anymore after years of hearing from what kinds of things folks come across thats such an easy answer. Just left wondering how come Drs don't try those things or even suggest them in most cases and in others balk at them as not working?

Glad you joined us by the way !

In response to Squirm, my new doctor said he was not 100 percent sure it was a neuroma that started this whole thing but by the time I saw him both nerve endings were tangled up in scar tissue. The first doctor went in from the top and the second from the bottom and he could only untangle and cut back one nerve into the muscle. I had ultra sound done before the first surgery and they saw two neuromas so who knows. I had x-rays done at HSS and my one toe joint is not where it should be and they were considering cutting and shortening my toe. But that surgery is not always successful either. I just hope and pray that I see continuous improvement with the inserts. Thanks for all of the comments, it is so nice to see that I am not alone and others are there for support.