Question
Dr. Katz,
I am a Physical Therapist with a patient who had the metatarsal release with neuroma removal to alleviate pain from sever plantarfasciitis.   It has been 4 months since her surgery and our (my PTA has been working with her) patient is still experiencing burning nerve pain around the incision site (incision over the longitudinal arch).  She is a single parent, hasn't had a job for 1 1/2 years due to this condition.  The Dr. that did the surgery said it has a 80% failure rate.  It there something that can be done to help her?  I could send you an operative report. Please advise...she is so discouraged and we have exhausted all of our therapy alternatives to alleviate her pain.  Thank you for your time and consideration.  God Bless YOu! Maria Kohler,WI

Answer
Hi Maria,

Please do send me an operative report.  Sending the actual Op report is a HIPPA violation.  Please just send the body of the report without patient information or any specific patient details.

I'm not sure why a Dr. would do an elective surgery with an 80% failure rate?  Hopefully the patient was aware of the failure rate at the time of surgery.

The surgery and conditions don't make sense to me.  Did she have a Morton's neuroma in the forefoot and plantar fasciitis of the heel?

Did she have pain in the medial arch?  What were the initial symptoms prior to the surgery.

Why was the surgery performed in the medial arch?

I would think that there are some other treatment options available.  I use Cryosurgery for nerve pain of the foot.  I get excellent results.  See my website below.  

Please send me more information and let's see if we can help your patient.

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