Morton's Neuroma

It is still a dilemma for most doctors as to what exactly Morton’s Neuroma is caused by. This pain in the forefoot could be a result of some irritation, injury or pressure. The most common reasons of this foot condition is wearing shoes that do not fit and/or high heel shoes, being involved in high-impact athletic activities, or injuring your foot. In some other cases, it could be a result of flatfeet, excessive flexibility, hammertoes, or bunions. Whatever the reason, it is best to treat it at the earliest sign of symptoms.

Need for Surgery:

Morton’s Neuroma is a common disease of the foot. It is observed in females more often than males most likely because of the heels women wear. Though there are conservative lines of treatment available, Morton’s Neuroma can in some cases only be solved by surgery.  Conservative treatment may fail to give relief to some patients with increased difficulties in movement. In such cases where surgery is warranted there are two types of surgery the patient could be asked to undergo.

Types of Surgery:

The first type of surgery is known as the ‘Dorsal Approach’. Under these conditions, an incision is made on the top of the foot and the procedure is carried on there from. The good part of this surgery is that the patient does not need to use any support to walk afterward. They can easily walk around the same day for the most part. Also this procedure will leave the healthier tissue for secondary surgery, in case it may be required. However, it has been seen that this kind of surgery may lead to instability in the forefoot that may require attention in for the future.

The second type of surgery is known as the ‘Plantar Approach’. The doctor makes an incision on the sole of the foot to repair the damage. The surgery cripples the patient for some weeks and they may need to use crutches to move around. Also the patient can feel uncomfortable from the scars that are formed on the sole of the foot. However, some doctors prefer this method of surgery. The reason for this is that it allows them better access to the neuroma and helps them to make resects without cutting any structures in the process.

Effects of Surgery:

The surgery is not without complications. The area of the foot that undergoes surgery contains a large number of nerves, small blood vessels and muscles as well. This is why there is a huge chance for complications to occur from surgery. Secondly, there is a chance for recurrence that might require further treatment or surgery. Finally, the area that remains after the neuroma is removed gets filled in with blood immediately after. This can cause a painful hematoma condition. There is a big risk of infection in such situations.

Conclusion:

A foot and ankle doctor will be the best judge for the line of treatment to be followed. The length of recovery time required by a patient may vary greatly depending upon the type of surgery undertaken and the procedures performed.