Neuroma Surgery: What is Morton's Neuroma?
Morton's Neuroma is a common foot problem where a nerve becomes inflamed and swollen. This pain is usually located between the bones at the ball of the foot and happens around the 3rd and 4th toes. It occurs due to compression of the nerve due to abnormal foot mechanics or forcing your foot into the compressed area of your shoe.
When Is Neuroma Surgery Required?
Initial treatment for Morton's Neuroma is to look for a shoe with a high and wide toe area and use orthotic arch supports designed with a metatarsal pad or neuroma pad placed behind the ball-of-the-foot to reduce pressure by spreading the metatarsal bones apart. If these treatments do not provide the necessary relief surgery may be required. Less invasive treatments like foot orthotics or arch supports offer much less risk and should always be considered before jumping to injections or surgical treatment.
There are two common approaches to neuroma surgery:
Neuroma Surgery: Dorsal Approach
Neuroma surgery using the dorsal (top of the foot) approach involves making an incision on the top of the foot. Instruments are maneuvered through the tiny structures of the foot and the surgeon cuts a ligament called the deep transverse metatarsal ligament. This is the ligament that causes most of the nerve compression. Many people prefer this neuroma surgery as it allows them to walk sooner after the surgery because the incision is not on the weight-bearing side of the foot. However, it presents more opportunity for complications than the second option.
Neuroma Surgery: Plantar Approach
The second neuroma surgery takes on a plantar (sole of foot) approach. In this procedure the incision is made on the bottom of the foot. The same job is completed, however, the neuroma can be reached more readily and cut with less chance of harming other structures. The patient will require crutches for approximately 3 weeks and walking can be very uncomfortable.
Complications in Neuroma Surgery
The area your surgeon is working in during neuroma surgery contains very small nerves, muscles and blood vessels allowing complications to occur. After the neuroma is removed, a painful hematoma could occur if the empty space fills with blood. Infection is a risk for any surgery. If the incision site becomes warm or red or if you have a fever, you must notify your surgeon immediately.
Another possible side effect is recurrence. If underlying problems with shoe fit and foot alignment are not corrected, the neuroma is likely to re-occur. The best way to prevent this is to avoid high heels and narrow toed shoes and use orthotic arch supports to take care of foot alignment problems so you will not have to go through neuroma surgery again in the future.
Credit : R. MacKenzie
Morton's Neuroma is a common foot problem where a nerve becomes inflamed and swollen. This pain is usually located between the bones at the ball of the foot and happens around the 3rd and 4th toes. It occurs due to compression of the nerve due to abnormal foot mechanics or forcing your foot into the compressed area of your shoe.
When Is Neuroma Surgery Required?
Initial treatment for Morton's Neuroma is to look for a shoe with a high and wide toe area and use orthotic arch supports designed with a metatarsal pad or neuroma pad placed behind the ball-of-the-foot to reduce pressure by spreading the metatarsal bones apart. If these treatments do not provide the necessary relief surgery may be required. Less invasive treatments like foot orthotics or arch supports offer much less risk and should always be considered before jumping to injections or surgical treatment.
There are two common approaches to neuroma surgery:
Neuroma Surgery: Dorsal Approach
Neuroma surgery using the dorsal (top of the foot) approach involves making an incision on the top of the foot. Instruments are maneuvered through the tiny structures of the foot and the surgeon cuts a ligament called the deep transverse metatarsal ligament. This is the ligament that causes most of the nerve compression. Many people prefer this neuroma surgery as it allows them to walk sooner after the surgery because the incision is not on the weight-bearing side of the foot. However, it presents more opportunity for complications than the second option.
Neuroma Surgery: Plantar Approach
The second neuroma surgery takes on a plantar (sole of foot) approach. In this procedure the incision is made on the bottom of the foot. The same job is completed, however, the neuroma can be reached more readily and cut with less chance of harming other structures. The patient will require crutches for approximately 3 weeks and walking can be very uncomfortable.
Complications in Neuroma Surgery
The area your surgeon is working in during neuroma surgery contains very small nerves, muscles and blood vessels allowing complications to occur. After the neuroma is removed, a painful hematoma could occur if the empty space fills with blood. Infection is a risk for any surgery. If the incision site becomes warm or red or if you have a fever, you must notify your surgeon immediately.
Another possible side effect is recurrence. If underlying problems with shoe fit and foot alignment are not corrected, the neuroma is likely to re-occur. The best way to prevent this is to avoid high heels and narrow toed shoes and use orthotic arch supports to take care of foot alignment problems so you will not have to go through neuroma surgery again in the future.
Credit : R. MacKenzie
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น