If you've been living with Morton's neuroma but orthotics and other treatments no longer help your condition, your podiatrist may talk to you about foot surgery. Since this foot condition involves the nerve in your foot, the surgical treatment for it requires a nerve decompression technique or removal of the nerve. When your foot pain is so bad that it interferes with your ability to play sports or be mobile, then surgery could be the right option. Here's an overview of what to expect.
This Foot Surgery Is An Outpatient Procedure
Your surgery will probably be an outpatient procedure, but you'll need someone to help you home since you won't be able to drive until your foot has healed. You'll be able to walk once you recover, but you'll be wearing a special shoe and you might be using crutches, so you may need help walking at first. You may have a choice in the type of anesthesia for the surgery, but your medical team makes sure you're alert and feeling well before you're sent home with your recovery instructions.
Your Foot Can Be Opened From The Top Or Bottom
The incision for this type of foot surgery is made on the top of your foot when possible to avoid an incision and scar on the bottom of your foot. However, depending on your condition, the incision may be on the bottom of your foot. Opening the bottom of your foot could make it easier to reach the growth, but your recovery may be longer.
Once your foot is opened, the surgeon assesses the size of the neuroma and decides on the exact procedure to remove it. A neuroma is a growth of thick tissue that pinches your nerve. This is what causes foot pain, especially when you wear shoes. It may be possible to remove tissue to stop the nerve pinching, but it may be necessary to remove the growth along with the nerve to stop the pain.
You'll Wear A Recovery Shoe Or Boot
You'll need to wear a special shoe after surgery. The shoe has a hard sole and soft sides. It's large enough to accommodate your foot bandage, and it helps with weight bearing so you can walk without a lot of pain. If your surgeon makes the incision on the bottom of your foot, you may need crutches too, so you can keep weight off of your foot until healing is underway.
You'll need to keep your bandages dry, so you may need to cover your foot at times so it doesn't get wet. You'll need to rest and keep your foot elevated to reduce swelling. Your doctor may arrange physical therapy so you can learn toe exercises that help with swelling and that prevent muscle loss while you heal.
Your doctor will let you know when you can bear your full weight safely, switch to normal shoes, resume all your activities, and drive depending on the nature of your foot surgery and how fast you recover.
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