Surgery is indicated to remove Morton's Neuroma, when infiltrations and physiotherapy were not enough to decrease pain and improve the person's quality of life. This procedure should completely remove the lump that has formed, and can be performed in the following ways:
- Cut at the top or bottom of the foot to remove the neuroma or just remove the ligaments to increase the space between the bones of the foot; Cryosurgery that consists of applying temperatures between 50 to 70ºC negative, directly on the affected nerve. This leads to the destruction of part of the nerve preventing it from generating pain and this procedure generates less postoperative complications.
Whatever the type of surgery, it can be performed on an outpatient basis, under local anesthesia and the individual can go home on the same day.
How is recovery from surgery
Recovery is relatively quick, right after the procedure the foot will be swollen and the doctor will bandage the foot so that the person can walk with only the heel on the floor and with a crutch. It is not always necessary to remove the stitches from the surgery, leaving it to the doctor to choose. In about 1 week the person must return to physiotherapy so that he can recover faster from the surgery, reducing the discomfort and swelling of the foot.
The person should not put the instep on the floor for the first 10 days or until the wound is completely healed, as this may take longer in some people. During this period the person should remain with the foot elevated as long as possible, it is important to remain with the leg supported in a chair whenever sitting, and to place pillows under the leg and feet when lying down.
On a day-to-day basis, you should wear a baruk shoe, which is a type of boot that supports the heel on the floor, removing it only for bathing and sleeping.
Although recovery is better when the surgery is done on the top of the foot, in about 5 to 10 weeks the person will be able to wear their own shoes and should be fully recovered.
Possible complications of surgery
When surgery is performed by an experienced orthopedic surgeon, there is less chance of complications and the person recovers quickly. However, some complications that can arise are the involvement of the nerve that generates alteration of sensitivity in the region and in the toes, residual pain due to the presence of the stump of the neuroma or the healing of the area, and in the last case, an new neuroma, and to prevent this from happening it is important to have physiotherapy sessions before and after surgery.
