My responses are in italics ... Dr. Zapf
Hi!
Thanks for responding to my email. In my last message
I had a question about my Morton's Neuroma. I have really appreciated the
information on your website; it is very helpful. I have struggled with what we
assume is a M.N. for 2 1/2 years. I was a runner, but now can hardly walk to my
mailbox without a flare-up. I've tried all the basic treatments with no real
success. In March this year I had a cortisone shot and since then my symptoms
have worsened (which I know isn't supposed to happen!) Since then I have had
numbness/tingling which moves up into my leg (at first occasionally) and now is
consistently affecting me with activity (including driving, swimming, biking).
I have had an MRI (which just showed some inflammation) and an EMG which was
normal. Now I'm considering surgery... My question/concern is that I
have several atypical M.N. symptoms and I worry that surgery may make things
worse, especially if I actually have a different diagnosis (Chronic Regional
Pain Syndrome, etc???)My basic method to diagnose this
problem is to inject a small quantity (1 CC) of Marcaine into the area of the
suspected neuroma. The Marcaine produces profound anesthesia for 6 to 12 hours.
If the pain is entirely relieved for the length of time the anesthetic is
working then I conclude that it is a neuroma, not some other causative factor.
Unusual symptoms:
-numbness ascending into the leg never
-no
real numbness into my toes
-most forefoot pain is in the morning for the first 5 minutes of walking OK
-red/purple coloring lately in the MN area at times not
typical
Have you seen some of these symptoms in other folks with M.N? No
Thank you so much for your help! It's been hard to find anyone in my area who
really seems extremely knowledgeable about this. I live in Minnesota. I am
coming to CA on vacation in a few weeks and may try to make an appt with you if
possible. Look forward to seeing you
Also, I've been reading about the sclerosing injections - do you know of anyone in the Midwest who
can do this??? No, you have to call a few local
podiatrists and ask the office staff if the doctor does sclerosing injections
for neuromas. If you do not find any, ask the most local doctor if he or she
will let you be the first test case for sclerosing injections. Good Luck.
Sincerely,
Anna
