Foot Care Tip
By Paula Rieger
Okay, here is my neuroma nightmare story, hopefully telling you about
what I went through will help others out there that think they may have a
neuroma/s!
It all started with me in Oct. 2005 right in the middle of running the
niketown 30k, at about the 8th mile. It felt like I had a marble in my
shoes, there was a sharp pain on the balls of my both my feet. I put up
with the pain for as long as I could then with about 2 miles to the finish
line I couldn't take the pain any longer so I took off my shoes and ran bare
foot to the finish.
The next day, monday, I made an appt. to go see a podiatrist. This was
the 1st podiatrist I went to. I explained to her my problem and pain and
she said it sounds like a neuroma. I had no idea what she was talking about
at that time. She explained to me what it was and after talking for a bit
about it, I decided to try the cortisone shots. Got the shots in both feet,
later that day went running after work and my feet felt good for a little
while, but then during the run it was the same pain again. The shot didn't
help me at all. Went back to the same doctor, she told me that there was a
surgery that would help without having to remove the nerves, which was
to go in between my toes and cut the metatarsal ligament which runs
across the
foot, and that by cutting this ligament it will make for more room for the
nerves in between and take the pressure off of them, which was causing my
pain. So, I had the surgery, recovery from that was difficult for me, had both
feet banadaged up for a couple of weeks, was really painful getting back
into just walking again, all kinds of twinges and twanges with the nerves in
my feet! I hated it! Was out of running for a couple of months. Taking the
stitches out between my toes was the worst part, very painful, I wanted
to punch the doctor in the face! lol, I ended up taking my own stitches
out!
Finally, when I did start to run again was
totally depressed to learn that the surgery did not work or help at
all! I was frustrated, angry, and totally depressed thinking I would
never be able to run again! Then what would I do with myself?!
LOL! Went back to see the same doctor again, told her that the surgery
didn't work, what else can I for my feet? At that point I wanted to
have the surgery to remove the neuromas and be done with it already,
but the
doctor said she wouldn't do another surgery, since I just had one done. So, I
agreed on starting the alcohol injections in both my feet to try and kill
the nerves that way. I don't know about other peoples experience with
the alcohol injections but for me it was so painful! I hated getting the
shots, hated it with a passion. There were times when I cried, screamed, you
name it! The problem with that doctor was that I think she missed the nerve
alot when giving me the shots, cause sometimes the pain from the shots was
so-so, and then there were other times when I could have went right through
the ceiling! So, the alcohol injections went on for a few months, but were
getting me nowhere, but more frustrated! Both my feet still were giving
me alot of pain when I ran, and to me seemed to be gettting worse, because
the pain not only bothered me when I was running but also when I was doing
nothing and just at home!
Finally, I told that doctor goodbye, and found another podiatrist, the
2nd doctor I went to see about my neuromas. Right from the start I told
this doctor I really wanted the surgery to remove the nerves, but she told
me that she wanted to continue with the alcohol injections because she
thought that the major reason why I wasnt getting any results from the shots
was because the other doctor kept missing the nerve most of the time. This
doctor never missed the nerve! This went on for about 4-5 months more!
One time when she was giving me a shot and it was so painful that I pulled
my foot back and she ended up putting the needle right through my foot and
out the bottom! It got to the point where one of the assistants had to lay
on top of me over my stomach while I got the shots so I wouldnt move or
jerk my foot around! Finally, I told this doctor that I've had enough of the
shots, I couldnt take the pain and anxiety of it anymore, either give me the
surgery or I'm out of here! She wouldn't do the surgery, so I was out
of there!
Found another podiatrist, my 3rd doctor. At this point I was just looking
for a doctor who understood my problem and would do the surgery and
take the nerves out! Went to see this next doctor, which was a big waste of
time! He told me right from the start he didn't think I needed the surgery and
that it wouldn't help me! I left his office wondering how he ever got to be a podiatrist in the first place!
Found another doctor, my 4th podiatrist, made an appt. Went to see him
and I couldnt believe my ears, but after telling him my problem with my feet
and everything I'd been through with them, the surgery and shots which did
not help, he agreed with me that I needed to have the nerves taken out!
Yipee!
Following week had the surgery, had 1 neuroma in each foot removed. The
surgery went great and recovered pretty much in about a month 1/2, then
began to run again, and it seemed to be going okay, except I thought I
still feel pain in both my feet, after running for a couple more days I was
discouraged to find that I still had pain in both my feet! I still had
another neuroma in each foot! I couldnt believe it! I was so mad at my
feet!
Went back to the same doctor that did the surgery on me and told him
that I was still having pain, showed him that the pain was coming from the
next toes over, he agreed that I probably had another neuroma in each foot,
but to give it one more week to just be sure. I gave it one more week and
was sure I had another neuroma in each foot. Had another surgery to remove
2 more neuromas in each foot. The surgery went great! Recovery went well,
about another 1 1/2-2 months. Started running again in the end of Dec.
2006, my feet feel great! No problems at the present time, been running
races, too. It feels great to be able to run 6-8 miles without having to stop
and rub my feet or move a pad around in my shoe! And I'll never ever take
for granted being able to run or walk or anything without pain again!
So, to the runners out there who think they may have or may be
developing neuromas, go see a couple doctors and get as many opinions
about your problem as possibly! There still seems to be some doctors
who just
don't know what to do about neuromas out there, and with neuromas you
need a doctor who is going to really listen to you! I mean, I think I
know my
feet and how they feel better than anyone else out there does.
Last
Updated: March 25, 2007
