Neuroma Surgery

Neuroma surgery in Studio City is a minimally invasive procedure with a high success rate, but depending on the procedure, recovery may take time. Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition in which a nerve in the ball of the foot becomes irritated. Though there are several non-surgical treatments for neuroma, surgery may be an option for some patients.

Contact our office today to find out more about neuroma surgery in Studio City and to schedule your first appointment and evaluation. This will give our doctor a chance to determine if surgery is a good option for your situation.

What is Morton’s Neuroma?

A neuroma is an abnormality that occurs when a nerve has been damaged due to trauma or a structural abnormality of the surrounding bones and ligaments. The most common location for this type of abnormality is the ball of the foot – a condition known as Morton’s neuroma.

At this location, the nerve can become pinched or inflamed by pressure from an abnormal movement of the metatarsal bones in the foot. This irritated nerve can cause symptoms including tingling or numbness in the toes, burning pain in the ball of the foot that radiates into the toes, or a feeling of a pebble pressing into the ball of the foot

Factors contributing to the development of Morton’s neuroma include the constant wearing of high heels or any shoes that compress the toe bones, sports involving repeated impacts to the foot such as running, and foot abnormalities such as high arches or bunions.

Morton’s neuroma is generally diagnosed and treated by a podiatrist, who may explore a variety of non-surgical options to treat the problem. These include cryotherapy (freezing the nerve), ultrasound, or injections of sclerosing agents such as those typically used to treat varicose veins. But if those types of procedures fail to relieve pain and bring relief, surgery may be an option, especially when the condition causes severe numbness or tingling in the toes.

When is Surgery Needed?

Surgery to correct Morton’s neuroma is an outpatient procedure that may be performed in a doctor’s office or an outpatient surgery center, using local anesthesia on the foot and intravenous twilight anesthesia for sedation. After a short post-surgery recovery period in the office, patients are able to go home. They may be given prescriptions for pain medication and antibiotics to prevent infection.

Approaches to Neuroma Surgery

Neuroma surgery can be performed from the top of the foot or through an incision in the sole, or plantar region, and each has its benefits and drawbacks. Surgery from the top of the foot involves an incision made between the toes, between the metatarsal bones. The plantar approach requires an incision in the sole of the foot, directly above the neuroma. Neuroma surgery involves less tissue damage, but it results in a longer recovery since patients must avoid pressure on the bottom of the foot. Scarring on the sole of the foot could also cause discomfort when walking or when wearing certain shoes.

Either type of surgery can involve different approaches to resolving the neuroma. Surgeons might cut a ligament to remove pressure on the nerve while leaving the nerve itself intact. Another option is to remove the irritated nerve entirely.

Recovering From Neuroma Surgery

Recovery from neuroma surgery depends on the kind of procedure performed. In procedures performed from the top of the foot, patients can expect a recovery time of three to four weeks. During that time, they need to rest the foot higher than the heart and keep walking to a minimum. Walking requires a postoperative shoe with a boxy shape and rigid sole. Patients can typically return to work when they can comfortably wear a normal shoe.

In surgeries in the plantar region, recovery typically takes longer. Because the incision is on the bottom of the foot, patients must use crutches and avoid putting pressure on the sole of the foot for three weeks or more. For this reason, many surgeons prefer to perform surgery using an incision on the top of the foot.

In either situation, dressings are changed at the first post-op follow-up and stitches are typically removed ten to 14 days after surgery. Until the stitches are out, the foot should be kept dry and clean to avoid the risk of infection. Depending on the minimally invasive techniques that your podiatrist uses, your recovery time and post-op care can be greatly reduced. Your doctor will give you an idea of what to expect.

Risks and Complications

Neuroma surgery is minimally invasive and generally highly successful, but as with any surgery, complications can occur. If the afflicted nerve was removed, this could result in permanent numbness or tingle in the toes and top of the foot. Some patients experience “phantom pain” at the site where the nerve was severed. A new neuroma, called a “stump neuroma” might also develop on the severed end of the nerve, and this could mean a second surgery to correct it.

Diabetic patients may also face special risks, especially if they suffer from neuropathy in the feet. For these patients, wounds may be slower to heal, and overall recovery time may be longer. Thanks to impaired circulation and pre-existing nerve damage, infection risks may be higher as well.

Though not life-threatening, neuromas can be painful and affect daily activities. Neuroma surgery may not be needed in every situation, but if it is, this minimally invasive procedure can ease discomfort and get neuroma sufferers back on their feet again.

To learn more about neuroma surgery in Studio City, contact our office today. We can schedule a consultation so that you can meet with your podiatrist and see if surgery is the best choice for you. We can also answer any questions you might have about our treatment options or your symptoms. If you are not a candidate for neuroma surgery, we have a wide range of additional treatment options that could be beneficial for you.