Question
I have constant pain in the balls of my feet, the right foot being the worst.  Originally, several years ago, it felt like my socks were bunched up plus I had bunion pain.  Two yrs ago I had my bunion removed and that pain is gone but the pain in the balls has progressively gotten worse and worse.  It is a pain that runs across the balls of my feet from the first toe to about the 4th toe.  It is a stabbing, burning, prickly pain that on occasion runs up into the 2nd and 3rd toes with the big toe always numb.  I am never without pain.  My podiatrist has treated me with anti-inflammatory, custom orthodics and steroid shot but none have helped.  On my last visit he said that I need to have osteotomy surgery to shorten the length of both the 2nd and 3rd metatarsals.  How do I know that this is the answer and that I'm not wasting his or my time with a surgery that won't help?  Thanks for your advice.  

Answer
Hi Janine,

Your symptoms sound like a Morton's neuroma.  The big toe numbness is likely from the bunion surgery.

Typically, pain running into toes has a nerve origin.  What I typically do is numb the nerve in question and see if there is relief even for an hour.  If there is relief then the nerve is the cause.

Rarely have I found that shortening bones gives relief for your symptoms.  I would really question this diagnosis.

See information on Morton's neuroma below:
http://thetampapodiatrist.com/document_disorders.cfm?id=136

I would consider getting another opinion.  In some cases, an MRI may show a neuroma.  They can also be seen on ultrasound.  However, they can typically be diagnosed simply by an exam and some local anesthetic.

Good Luck.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com
www.fix-my-foot.com

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