A quick run through the fourth week of my recovery following surgery to remove a Morton's Neuroma from between toes two and three…
Day 22 (Monday) – three weeks after the surgery and guess what? I can get a proper shoe on again! A friend took me out for lunch and I decided to try a pair of trainers and not only could I get them on but my foot felt pretty comfortable too. I didn't walk far – just from the house to car, car to cafe and then the reverse journey – but it made such a difference wearing shoes instead of Crocs! I'm still limping heavily and walking slowly but this is definitely progress.
Day 23 (Tuesday) – this evening I went out to a meeting for a local support group I help at. Feeling like I'm limping less, and my scar is becoming less sensitive. Something I have noticed though is that I get a strange “electric shock” type feeling in the bottom of my foot sometimes. I guess it's the remaining nerve stump being stimulated. When I rub the bottom of my foot one way it's fine but the other way I get this odd feeling. It's not painful, but it is slightly disconcerting, especially when I walk on a knobbly bit of ground and get a shock in my foot! I'm also finding that while I can normally put my foot flat on the floor, first thing in the morning and in the evenings I still get some pain and find it more comfortable putting my weight more on the edge of my foot.
Day 24 (Wednesday) took myself off for a “proper” walk today to our local Tesco. When I've walked there in the past it's taken me seven or eight minutes to get there, so a round trip of about 30 mins including buying a thing or two. The trip this time – walking there, buying four things, walking back – took me an hour! Yes, I was very slow, and limped a lot, and my foot was quite tender and a little bit swollen when I got back, but I did make it! Definitely on the mend 🙂
Days 25-27 (Thursday to Saturday) haven't really done much, I've been at home mainly but had a meeting and a social event, and each day I've felt my foot get less sore, stronger and I'm starting to walk a bit faster too. In fact on Saturday we went to a local beauty spot to take photos of the bluebells and I was able to walk round for half an hour in relative comfort. I can almost walk downstairs normally too – I need to take some of my weight on the banister but I don't have to go sideways any more! The scabs have almost entirely gone now, though the top of my foot around the scar site is still quite tender at times.
Days 29-30 (Sunday-Monday) Went down to Brighton to visit my daughter. Did quite a lot of walking over the two days – well, a lot in relation to the little I've done for the last four weeks! I'm still quite slow and if I walk on uneven ground I still get the odd electric shock feeling in the sole of my foot (those knobbly paving slabs at road crossings are a bugger). I also found both my legs ached, I guess just because I haven't really walked any distance for a month. But overall I did okay, and there was little or no swelling either.
Day 31 (Tuesday) big achievement this evening – I drove my car! Steve came out with me in case I found it too painful but it was fine. Ok I didn't drive far, just round the block really, probably about a mile, but I changed gear plenty of times and while I did have a bit of pain in my foot when I used the clutch it was only very slight. Don't think I'd want to do a long drive at the moment, but I am hoping to drive for half an hour later this week to get to a meeting. Fingers crossed! And now I am able to drive again I'm hoping I can resume some exercise – swimming at least, if not Aquafit too. Will ring the hospital tomorrow and ask for their advice.
So it's a month and a day after surgery and I'm well on the way to recovery. I think the two bits of advice I'd like to pass on to anyone else undergoing surgery for Mortons Neuroma are:
1. Give yourself time to recover from the surgery. I allowed myself a week off work but actually I really struggled with concentration the following week, and trying to work effectively while keeping my foot elevated was difficult. If I was to go though this again I would definitely give myself two clear weeks before I attempted any work.
2. Be patient. I've found it quite frustrating not being able to drive, or walk downstairs properly, or walk any distance. However, I have been good, and rested and not pushed things too fast, and I think that might be why, a month on, I'm doing well.
Other than the above I've had a good experience and the problems I had with my foot before – the burning pain in the ball of my foot, the swelling across the top, the constant sharp shooting pains up my foot and into my ankle – all seem to have been resolved by the surgery. Fingers crossed that's the end of it and I won't have any more problems. I'm even quite happy with the scar – there are still a few scabby bits but it's looking pretty good and I think. Once it's fully healed it won't be too noticeable at all!
Hi Alison, I’m wondering how you are now? Also, do you still the the ‘V’ toes and the hammer toe? I have not yet seen anyone about my left foot, but have the same pain between my second and third toes and the ‘V’ toes. I do also have a hammer second toe but not sure what has caused that as I have had that for a long time. I have had the tingling, electric shocks and burning in my foot for a long time but had been putting it down to my back and spine problems until it became very obvious that there was a problem in my foot. I am waiting to be referred to a specialist.
Wow what a great blog!
I too have 2/3 mn and a small 3/4 in my left foot and a small 2/3 in my right.
My toes have v’d on my left foot. I have had 1 round of injections and frankly the pain was awful, I don’t fancy having another lot. But the pain in my left foot has returned in less than a year and is quite unbearable. I also had double bunion surgery about ten years ago and game often wondered if this has caused the neuroma?
Working on my feet for a solid 6-8 hours a day is not fun. Would you say surgery is a cure or does it throw up more issues afterwards?
Many thanks
Jen
Surgery has been a huge success for me. A year and a half on I have very few problems – the inside of my toes are numb and always will be, but I’ve got used to it. Occasionally I still get a funny feeling like an electric shock if I stand on something knobbly, but it’s not a pain, more just a weird sensation. My toes will never go back to their normal position so my foot is quite odd looking, but again I’m used to that. But I no longer get any pain … Good luck, whatever you decide.
I had ultrasound of my foot and they found a small Moreton’s Neuroma but also a bursitis between the 2nd and 3rd toes on my left foot. That is where my toes have seperated into a V. I saw a podiatrist who tried to give me inserts into my shoes. If anything, they seemed to flare up pain in my knees. I have stopped wearing them now. I haave decided not to go back to the podiatrist because the pain seems to have settled down again. I do get it occassionally but nothing like before and I am managing to walk quite comfortably. Standing causes more pain, but that brings on back pain too so I try to avoid it. They haven’t looked at my right foot, but the same toes seem to be starting to seperate. I found it interesting that Jen said that she has a neuroma in both feet.
I was told that I could try steroid injections to see if that would help. From things I have heard, I think I will leave well alone. At least for now.
Good to hear that you have had great success from the surgery Alison. 🙂
I meant to ask, do either of you have problems with your shoes due to your toes splaying out?
As my toes get wider and wider apart I feel that it must be making my foot a wider shoe fitting and am wondering how long it will be before that becomes a problem for me.
Thanks Alison I think I’m going to ask about the surgery.
Lindsey, its hard to say for me as I had super wide fit before my bunion surgery, so my toes are all a bit out of line still.
I have to be very careful what shoes I wear – I can’t wear narrow ones, and because the V shape and cortisone injections have actually left me with a hammer toe, I have to be careful of wearing shoes like pumps, where the seam of the shoe lies across my toe, because it’s really uncomfortable and can be painful. As it is, I’m a sensible shoes/boots girl anyway so it’s not a huge issue – but finding nice shoes for posh days out is problematic 🙁
I have a hammer toe too Alison, but haven’t had any steroid injections so it can’t have been caused by that for me. I have found Hotter shoes are more comfortable. I do sometimes wish I could wear really nice, pretty shoes though. I did find a pretty comfortable pair for my son’s wedding this year that were comfortable too. I was delighted!
My toes are v shaped and have a hammer toe but I’m fairly sure they were befor the steroids. Pumps are killer. I like sensible shoes but sometimes I want pretty things or dainty work shoes ?
Thank you Alison. You’re blog has been really useful. I am getting nearer to surgery … unfortunately. I’m wondering what experience your consultant had; had he done many of these before? Hope to hear from you.
Ignore previous grammatical errors ….. sorry…..my concentration is also compromised because of worsening symptoms. Very down with the foot today. Can you also tell us more about your previous ankle pain? …..if you can remember now. I started to get the addition of ankle pain shooting up the inside of the ankle and I don’t know if it’s related to the MN or I have something else too! This addition has been going on now since July this year . Had nerve conduction studies which I’m told ruled out tarsal tunnel. Was just intrigued with your reference to ankle pain too.
No idea! He seemed to be pretty au fait with it though, I think it was probably something he’d done a few of – in fact, the woman in the bed next to me in the day surgery clinic had exactly the same thing done!
Sorry to hear about the problems. I used to get shooting pains up the front of my foot and into my leg, right up the centre of the front of my leg. Surgery was probably the best thing I did last year!
Well that’s reassuring … mine is also going up the front of the leg/side of ankle. God forbid it was an additional thing. Consultant reckons my MN is about 6 mm square. Because I’m skinny tho, my theory is I probably feel it more than the next person! I’ve had this for five years but they’ve always put me off surgery locally … I get worried in case that means it’s because it’s not done often … hence my surgeon question. I live in a very small place. Was your op NHS or private? Don’t answer me if you don’t want to! Again, thanks for your blog … it’s not often you read of the good .. I think because people start to get on with normal life once they’re ok again, instead of living online trying to find answers (like me!)
My op was done on the NHS, at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford – so I guess as they are orthopaedic specialists it was probably pretty routine for them. I know what you mean about getting on with life – I wrote lots about it while I was laid up but once I was back on my feet again I forgot to update!
Right … and also…. did yr symptoms include an overwhelming feeling of the foot being extremely cold?? I get this all the time!
Well, not updating is a good thing! You’ve been incredibly helpful to a lot of people as you can see. Thank you.
No, I don’t remember it feeling cold, particularly – though I have read that other people experience that.
Hello Alison. Happy New Year. My Christmas has been spent weighing up whether to have the surgery….local hospital has added me to waiting list but said they don’t think it will relieve my symptoms!! I have a couple of questions hanging over me and I wonder if you’d give your opinion on them?
For the last few months, I’ve started with ankle pain too. Nerve pain up the inside of the ankle -much worse after the wearing of any shoe/boot which may have touched the area. Is this how your ankle pain started too? Secondly, did your toes suffer with pins and needles and also cramping, as part of the symptoms? I know I have the Mortons but I have to try and work out if that is the actual cause of my symptoms. I believe you can have neuromas and not even know it. Again, thank you for your help. Susan
My pain was more up the front of my foot, pretty much in the middle – though it’s a long while ago now so I can’t really remember. Don’t remember getting cramp or pins and needles particularly, either. Sorry … that’s probably not very helpful!
Thanks for commenting and good luck, whatever you decide to do.
Hi Ladies all those looking to have surgery for their Mortons neuroma have you considered cryosurgery? There only seems to be two places that do it in this country ones in Sheffield the other is Lewisham at the London Podiatry clinic they make a small incision and freeze the nerve. it’s less invasive and your ok in a couple of days. I had mine done about a year ago although I still have some discomfort it has cured the acute pain under my toes. Maybe worth finding out about before considering nerve removal.
Sounds like its coming along, after 15 days my scar has not get any better and still kills when I touch it. I still cannot walk and I am starting to put on weight which is making things a whole lot worst. I just cant find anything to do! I think I am going to buy some morton’s neuroma shoes and start walking regularly again. I need to make progress!
Well here I am the day after surgery. Just read your blog to remind me of yr recovery so I can “compare notes!” Think your main message is give yourself time to recover. I ended up having tarsal tunnel surgery too so definetely need time. Told employer I’ll likely be off for two weeks but I can already see that was over optimistic! Got the numbness between the two toes you referred to …. may improve …. thanks again Alison for,yr blog. Maybe my addition may help someone too.
Glad it all went well for you. I still have the numbness – given that the nerve has been removed I guess that is a permanent side effect! I’ve got used to it now though. I was fully mobile within 4-6 weeks and 2.5 years on I have no regrets! Hope your recovery goes well.
Thank you for your very informative blog I go for surgery on the 9th December after having the steroid injection 3 years ago which worked at the time but the pain is back I feel a lot more relaxed about the op after reading your feedback
Thanks for the honest review and info on this. I have one on right foot 3/4 and two on left, 2/3 and 3/4. I’ve had two sets of steroids, one set was ultrasound guided but have made zero difference. I’m booked to have one foot done after the other in January 17. Bit nervous but glad to have found your review. I will also try to work at home now and then as no doubt I’ll be bored but won’t over do it
Cheers
Wow, both at once? Good luck! I’m sure it will make a huge difference to you.
Just stumbled upon this after a random search… I have a neuroma /maybe two… also developed a hammer toe after or during injections. I’ve had 3 injections over the past two years. I also have the tell tale “v” between 2/3.
My surgery will likely be this spring. Seeing your blog was awesine! Thank you!
Typo-
“Awesome” not aweswine…
HI Alison,
Thank so much for this blog, so good to hear more about the recovery process!
Ive been referred for MN surgery this year and my biggest, main concern is how long I will have to not go to the gym or be active for. It is a massive part of my life at the moment and something i’m very worried about not being able to do. Did you get a feeling for how long you needed to be off your feet?
I see that they had advised you not to go swimming – how long did you end up having to leave this? I think mostly i would miss not being able to be at a weights or spinning class – not a huge amount of running but definitely involves balance and strength through the foot. Would be great to have your opinion. Thanks, Christie.
Hi Alison,
I am reading your MN blog in August 2018 as I am about to have the same operation in a weeks’ time.
It was so useful to read your account of the whole procedure, before, during and after. Thank you. I really feel that I know what to expect now!
Best,
Sophie
Hi Alison,
Thank you so much for your informative blog. I am now 6 days post surgery and still in quite a lot of pain but your blog has given me hope of a speedy enough recovery in the next few weeks! I’m very impressed with your ability to be out and about week 1…I still have to have my foot elevated all the time, and find that I can weight bare less and less as the days go on. Your blog has given me some peace of mind that things will improve. Thank you!
I found this blog very useful when recovering from my operation. My experience of the surgery and following recovery has been a positive one. I had 4 days of almost total bedrest (just toilet trips or making a (very) quick sandwich). I slept with my foot raised on two sofa cushions. I didn’t take any painkillers, as I found the sensation of pain useful to make sure I didn’t do too much. I had about 5 days of hobbling after bedrest before I could put the special shoe on. Once I could wear the shoe, things got better quickly. I had the stitches out after a couple of weeks, and could walk short distances (say 200meters) slowly, but without too much pain. After a month, I was almost back to normal.
When the nurse took the bandages off, she said the surgeon would be able to tell if I’d rested properly 🙂 I think a large part of the success is in the resting. Scar is minimal and my toe is straight.
I would definitely get one of the waterproof bags for covering the bandage so you can shower. Make sure you rest for the first 4-5 days. I wish I had had the operation done sooner, I could have saved 10 years of pain!
Had my OP 2 years ago and my M N is playing up again .during past 2 years I have not been pain free. Electric shock sensations and aching quite alot. Has anyone else had this??? Starting to feel a bit down about the whole thing .family must be fed up hearing about my bloody foot.
Hello everyone,
I had the surgery about 14 days ago. Post surgery I didn’t really have any pain and my foot didn’t get really swollen. I can still feel my toes which is good. However, I started walking again without crutches and I feel a numbness (like something is stuck under my toe) and mini electric shocks when I walk. Is that normal? Will that go away? I have started panicking a bit if I m honest.
Hi
I had the opp to remove a small MN just over 6 months ago. after opp, I had very little swelling and no pain what so ever, I was walking to shop and back and around the house after 5 days, stitches out after 2 weeks. After about 8 weeks I did a few 7-mile walks and no pain. 6 months in and still have slightly swollen foot first thing in the morning which goes after 15 mins. been advised that the swelling can take up to 12 months to go. has anybody had the same experience with the slight swelling 6 after opp
cheers Gary
Hi Gary, my foot still occasionally swells up, especially in warm weather, and I had my op 6 years ago! Glad you healed up so quickly though.
Hi Alison
Thanks for getting back. Would you say 12 months or so before you got the to the stage of occasional swelling
Cheers Gary
That sounds about right. It would be swollen in the morning, at the end of the day, in hot weather and if I’d done a lot of walking, for a good year after surgery. Like I said, six years on it still swells a bit occasionally, on hot days especially if I walk a lot (and living in Portugal and having a dog, that’s quite frequently!).
Hi Alison & everyone
I have been diagnosed with 2 MN’s in my left foot (the largest being 15mm x 15mm, which is quite big, considering they are normally 5-10mm!!!) I’ve been a nurse for over 30 years so possibly being on my feet for 12 hour day & night shifts haven’t helped!
I’ve been in pain throughout lockdown & only had an ultrasound to diagnose it last month. I had a steroid injection a week ago, but have had no relief from the pain, in fact it has got worse. I remain on anti-inflammatorys & opiates for analgesia (Morphine) and am feeling pretty low to be honest.
I’ve been referred for surgery as I am so limited with my daily functioning now. I can’t work due to pain & also the effects of the very strong pain relief, am only able to drive for literally a couple of miles, find walking extremely painful, & have to live in Crocs. I know that surgery has it’s risks but I just can’t continue life like this. And to make matters worse, I now have the same pain in the same place as my left, in my right foot! For God’s sake……..
Any hints & tips on surgery & footwear would be gratefully received.
Many thanks & take care x
Hello,
I had surgery for MN 7 weeks ago (the nerve was removed). I still can’t put my full weight on my foot. Still swollen under my 3rd and 4th toe. There is some nerve pain on top of my 4th toe that bothers me mostly at night. Never I had such a slow recovery in my life,I’m 57 5’4” 124pds so the weight on my foot is not that extreme.
I saw my Dr after 5 1/2 weeks and she told me it would get much better and the pain will go away but it’s anxiety producing not knowing if I made the right move by getting the surgery.
Sorry for my grammar, my first language is French.
Thanks,
Sylvie
Hi Tabby
Snap. Multiple MNs in right foot and then developed same in left over about the last six years. Various injections by ultrasound did no good whatsoever so finally had surgery on RF two weeks ago – stitches out this morning, in fact, so too early to comment on results. The op only addressed one MN in one foot so goodness knows how long it will take to have a separate op for each MN. Years? All a bit depressing but good luck
I had 1.5cm MN and nerve removed 8 Feb 21. Rested for 2 weeks. Swollen and painful and walked slowly limping in fitflop sandal after 4 weeks. At 8 weeks I started to walk without pain and very slight limp in trainers and was feeling really happy and optimistic. 10 days later pain was worse than pre op and getting worse. Feels like constant tight string wrapped around my toes and walking on a stone. Limping so bad and can hardly walk. It’s now 3 months + post op and it’s just getting worse. I’m so much pain. Worse decision ever. But still praying it improves and this is part of the healing process. Has anyone else had this happen?
Abby
I had Morton’s neuroma surgery 10 days ago I’m feeling pretty good, just a little bored but I tried to do too much the 4 th day of my surgery & decided that I need to be patient . My surgery was done from the bottom of my toes & by the ball of my foot . Anybody had it the same way ?
Hi Nohemi
Mine was done from the top. I’m 2.5 years in foot don’t swell anymore, toe is a funny shape it sticks up a bit which pushes the metatarsal head down a bit which i can feel in bare feet, i walk about 30 miles a week in good trainers no pain