On Friday, January 18th I had surgery to remove my neuromas.

What is a Neuroma?
A neuroma is an abnormality of a nerve that has been damaged either by trauma or as a result of an abnormality of foot function. I suspect that years of wearing dress shoes as a corporate accountant have contributed to my neuromas, and biking in super tight biking shoes. The most common location of neuromas is in the ball of the foot (which is where mine is). In this area the nerve can become pinched and inflamed by the abnormal movement of the bones in the ball of the foot.

The surgical removal of forefoot neuromas is a relatively simple procedure. The surgery can be performed using a local anesthesia in the doctor's office or with intravenous anesthesia (twilight anesthesia) in an outpatient surgery center.
Following administration of anesthesia, a skin incision is made on the top of the foot in the location of the neuroma and the nerve is identified, cut and removed. Once the surgery is completed a gauze dressing is applied. This bandage stays in place until the surgeon sees the patient on their first post-operative visit. On the first post-operative visit the surgical site is inspected and a new dressing is applied. The sutures are removed in 10-14 days following the surgery. During this period of time the foot must remain dry to reduce the risk of infection. The patient should limit their activities and keep their foot elevated above the heart as much as possible. A post-operative “shoe” is worn which allows the patient to do limited walking. The patient should not walk without the post-operative shoe. Once the sutures have been removed the patient may bath the foot and attempt to wear a roomy stiff-soled walking shoe. It generally takes three weeks from the time of surgery before the walking shoe can be worn comfortably.

Possible Complications:
The surgery has an overall high rate of success, however, as with any surgery complications can occur. Possible complications include infection, excessive swelling, and delays in healing or continued pain. Also when a nerve is cut there is a small possibility that the nerve may grow abnormally producing a stump neuroma. If the patient walks on the foot more than what is recommended excessive swelling can cause bleeding or scaring that may result in continued pain and delays in healing.

So far, I have had very little pain. I have done a pretty good job of staying off my feet as much as possible and James has been really helpful with the baby, etc. I can walk, but I have to take little bitty steps and keep my weight in my heel. If I try to walk without my "shoes" it really hurts and if I am up too much, I can feel my feet start to swell up. I am starting to see some bruising on my toes. Really it has not been bad at all and hopefully after this, all the foot problem and foot pain will be over with and I can get back to running and wear what ever kind of shoes I want.

Before the surgery, if I ran more than 3 miles, the neuromas would start to hurt. And, the pain is a rather intense pain that can not be ignored. Even if I was not running, if I would wear any kind of high heel, my feet would scream in pain and if i walked a lot my feet would hurt. A few weeks ago I spent the afternoon cleaning at the old house and by the end of the day I could barely walk thanks to the neuromas and that was just walking around the house in tennis shoes!