Pros And Cons Of Seeking Surgery For Morton's Neuroma
Morton's neuroma can make it painful to walk or even stand. This growth, which occurs in the tissue between your toes, places pressure on nerves running through your foot. It can make it feel like you're stepping on a pebble. There is a surgical procedure that can be used to treat Morton's neuroma and relieve the pain caused by the condition. However, it is not the right choice for everyone. Here are some pros and cons to consider before you have surgery for Morton's neuroma.
Pro: Surgery could relieve your symptoms permanently
There are other treatments for Morton's neuroma such as physical therapy, splints, and orthotic inserts. These can do a good job of easing the pain and making you more comfortable in your daily life, but they are not permanent fixes. You will always, to some degree, struggle with pain and uncomfortable sensations. With surgery, on the other hand, you stand a good chance of being permanently relieved from the pain. The neuroma will be removed, so it won't press on the nerve anymore.
Con: Surgery comes with a long healing period
After surgery, you will have to stay off your feet for a few weeks. After that, you may still need to wear a boot to protect your foot. If you don't have someone to stay with you, or if you can't bear the idea of a long recovery period, then surgery might not be a wise choice for you — at least not at this time.
Pro: Surgery can resolve related problems, too
Sometimes patients with Morton's neuroma also develop other, secondary conditions because of the way they alter their gait due to the pain of the neuroma. For instance, they may begin walking on their heel which can lead to tendon strain. If you have any other injuries to tendons or ligaments, your podiatric surgeon can often resolve them during the same surgical appointment as your neuroma removal.
Con: Surgery is not always fully covered by insurance
Your insurance plan may not cover surgery for Morton's neuroma until you have tried a list of other more conservative treatments. So, you may need to have your doctor appeal to have the procedure covered. Or, you may need to cover part of the cost out-of-pocket.
If you are able to cover the costs of the surgery and you have time to recover, Morton's neuroma surgery can be a wise choice for you. Talk to a podiatrist to learn more.