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Removal Morton’s neuroma causing peripheral neuropathy therapy
Neuropathy | Last Active: Oct 11 12:50pm | Replies (7)Comment receiving replies
I had two Morton Neuromas removed from my right foot in late 2012 and in late 2016 I could hardly walk. Things were happening (family members worse off than me to take care of) and I did not get back to podiatrist until late 2017. I just limped along.
The neuroma stumps were inflamed and MRI showed another small neuroma. The podiatrist gave me an injection, but it did not help. He suggested physical therapy. I had to go out of town to find a good podiatrist.
I started physical therapy in my hometown and the therapist was honest and said she was not very knowledgeable in therapy for the feet. She said she knew someone who is though. It was a therapist who had helped me through knee, back and shoulder pain. He had me walking well within three weeks. I still had pain, but could walk without limping.
His treatment involved massage, torture tools (were his words .. but they looked similar to shoe horns. He used them to stretch the foot muscles), and dry needling. I think the dry needling was the most helpful. It uses needles .. much like acupuncture .. that leads from a TENS unit attach to. To me not painful, but for some it is. I think it is how well trained the therapist is.
He said I might have to return for more therapy. So far when my foot flares I use my home TENS unit and my foot gets relief… no needles. My foot hurts all the time… there is also numbness. My foot will never be like it was before neuromas came about. Now I have arthritis in my toes .. base joints .. to add to it. The base of my big toe is the worst.
Good arch support shoes is a help with foot pain for me. It is about that dreaded time again .. shoe shopping. My favorite style has been discontinued.
I cannot take any of the medications for neuropathy. I get a bit off-balance with the occasional very bad flare ups. .. when numbness increases with the flares and goes up my leg. Home care for me is massage and TENS unit. PT for therapy.
Medications or over the counter rubs/cremes may help you. I do encourage you to find a physical therapist knowledgeable in foot therapy.
Best wishes,
ZeeGee
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Thanks for such an extensive reply.
The neuropathy that started in the balls of my feet right after the neuroma removals in 2004 has slowly progressed throughout my feet with much pain and has moved up my leg causing a loss of muscle control. I too thought that I might have a neuroma stump and had an MRI taken that did now show anything. I then went to a special clinic outside Boston called the Center for Morton's Neuroma. It cost (a number of years ago) $1000 to get in the door. The reason I went to this facility was the following phrase on their website; "Even if you’ve had Morton’s neuroma surgery and still have pain, we can treat you so you can get on with your life! (About 30% of our new patients are folks who have had Morton’s neuroma surgery and still have pain.)" I spent 2-3 hours there being examined and brought my MRI and they told me I had full blown neuropathy and they couldn't do anything for me and to get a neurologist. They even gave half my money back!
All the neurologist has done is prescribe gabapentin which does reduce the pain. Before taking gabapentin my feet would swell up after any extend walking or when only wearing street shoes. I now wear light weight hiking boots that can be laced tightly and taking multiple gabapentin pills my feet have not swollen up like they used to.
However, the progressive peripheral neuropathy has now got to the point that walking 50 yards becomes very difficult as the most of the muscles in my leg are not working properly and the few muscles left in my upper thigh and buttocks do all the work and tighten up after walking only a short distance. Ironically even though I can't walk very far I still can ride a bike for hours or get on the elliptical at the gym and go for some distance!
I have tried acupuncture with no results. Also leg massages and foot Reflexology that feels nice for a very short period of time. Even getting a pedicure with a foot and leg massage makes things feel better temporarily. But with the relatively recent advent of walking curtailment I'm getting desperate.