NickW
Guest
I don't want to talk to that man again, but I feel like I should as maybe it will open his eyes to a better alternative than surgery and save someone else.Will you tell Franken Doc?
This thread isn't about me, so I will keep it short.
The peripheral nerve surgeon I saw last August was able to correct 3 of the 4 stump neuromas (so far as I can tell, but I haven't pushed it to know for sure). The one he didn't fix was a fallen nerve branch. He also performed tarsal tunnel release surgery on both ankles at the same time. Neither of those surgeries helped me. I still have the same heel and arch burning pains I have had for the past 4-1/2 years whenever I have been on my feet for too long. The reason I'm telling you this here is because I told him, respectfully, that his TTS surgery was a complete failure and that one of the nerve branches from the Morton's Neuroma surgery fell. It was important to me that he know this. Too many times, patients just walk away without ever following up with their doctors to let them know that they failed them.
The peripheral nerve surgeon I saw last August was able to correct 3 of the 4 stump neuromas (so far as I can tell, but I haven't pushed it to know for sure). The one he didn't fix was a fallen nerve branch. He also performed tarsal tunnel release surgery on both ankles at the same time. Neither of those surgeries helped me. I still have the same heel and arch burning pains I have had for the past 4-1/2 years whenever I have been on my feet for too long. The reason I'm telling you this here is because I told him, respectfully, that his TTS surgery was a complete failure and that one of the nerve branches from the Morton's Neuroma surgery fell. It was important to me that he know this. Too many times, patients just walk away without ever following up with their doctors to let them know that they failed them.
NickW
Guest
That's exactly why I feel like I should tell him. Not sure how I would get to talk to him though other than scheduling an apt which costs me money. Maybe I can find an email address for him.
This thread isn't about me, so I will keep it short. You don't say
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NickW
Guest
Nick, awesome. your health is in YOUR hands. tennis balls are too soft to penetrate deep. you need a hard ball to get better penetration. 
. lacrosse, soft or baseballs work good. i also read for your calves to put the ball on a chair while you lie on the floor and roll your calf there. i have yet to try it but sounds interesting.
. lacrosse, soft or baseballs work good. i also read for your calves to put the ball on a chair while you lie on the floor and roll your calf there. i have yet to try it but sounds interesting.NickW
Guest
Ya, I am going today to target to see if I can find a better ball that is a little bigger and hard. Last night I had put the tennis ball on the ottoman and was able to really get the front outside edge of the shin really well. Amazing how much better you can feel from doing this stuff. The regular roller just does not work for me, not like using a ball does. It's been what, 4 days now and I have yet to feel that peroneal tendon pain. That's a big deal for me. Now it's just a matter of keeping the legs loose and getting back in shape. I gained back about 8 lbs due to all these problems and am dang near back where I started. (Of course in a sidenote it does not help at all to have a pregnant wife who keeps having cravings for cookies, ice cream, chocolate... I'm weak if that stuff is in the house. I know definitely that if I was single I would easily be 20lbs or more lighter because I wouldn't have crap food in the house and wouldn't have someone saying "well that just doesn't sound good to me, I want xyz (bad fattening food)".)Nick, awesome. your health is in YOUR hands. tennis balls are too soft to penetrate deep. you need a hard ball to get better penetration.
Tendons can become aggravated by trigger points in the muscles, because those knots push against surrounding tissue. The calves are definitely super-tough to massage by yourself. I will have to use my wild imagination and think about what would work best for that.
I like the Rumble Roller for those hard to reach spots. A bit pricey, but cheaper than a deep tissue massage. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A8EZAR6
NickW
Guest
I had bought a softball the other day and it works perfect, and at $4, much better price than the rumble roller. Thanks for the link though Sid. The tennis ball actually works really well on my calves too (Mike no it's not too soft), the problem is just that it's not big enough to do my hamstrings.
Nick, next time you're near sports authority or dicks sports, grab a lacrosse ball for 2 bucks. The difference between a tennis ball and lacrosse ball on my calves and arch/sole is night and day. The density and firmness of the lacrosse ball really allows you to crop your weight into the roll.
Hi Nick -
I know this is already answered but wanted to include some additional opinions. As a Podiatrist and surgeon, I would definately not do surgery in your case and do agree that the Podiatrist you went to was a little scalpel-happy. Although there are times that surgery is the best option, based off of your symptomatology, MRI and xray - I would definately not recommend surgery.
Calcaneus surgery is a major surgery requiring 2 months completely off of your foot - and should not be taken lightly. And your MRI does not read a low lying peroneal body. This is typically an issue in those with chronic ankle instability - which sounds a little different than what you are describing.
I am glad that you have decided alternative options.
Good luck!
I know this is already answered but wanted to include some additional opinions. As a Podiatrist and surgeon, I would definately not do surgery in your case and do agree that the Podiatrist you went to was a little scalpel-happy. Although there are times that surgery is the best option, based off of your symptomatology, MRI and xray - I would definately not recommend surgery.
Calcaneus surgery is a major surgery requiring 2 months completely off of your foot - and should not be taken lightly. And your MRI does not read a low lying peroneal body. This is typically an issue in those with chronic ankle instability - which sounds a little different than what you are describing.
I am glad that you have decided alternative options.
Good luck!
Hi TJ,
Did your tarsal tunnel ever resolve? I too had neuroma surgery (the standard procedure) two years ago on my left foot. I do get occasional aching pain from what I believe is the nerve growing back mixed with scar tissue but nothing that would need surgery at this point. The bigger problem is that I have been suffering with tarsal tunnel in both feet for months! It affects my sleep, I can't walk for long and certainly can't run. I want to rule everything out first so I am getting an mri done of my back and have scheduled an appointment with a rheumatologist. It's looking like surgery is the only solution to this pain but see that it didn't work for you. I hope you have finally recovered- nerve pain is the worst! Definitely not something I've been anle to "just run through" with or without shoes!
Wow, this got ugly. I believe my original suggestions were spot on, even though we have never met. It seems that frustration leads to specialists which lead to surgeries that try to correct something that seems to be the problem.
Its the motion globally that leads us to foot pain, and unfortunately, many surgeries deliver more pain, rather than better function. I wish you lived in NJ, I would love to have a look at this first hand.
I am not a genius, but there is genius in looking at the macro, namely your gait. Try doing a treadmill video, you may be surprised at what you see.
Good luck
Its the motion globally that leads us to foot pain, and unfortunately, many surgeries deliver more pain, rather than better function. I wish you lived in NJ, I would love to have a look at this first hand.
I am not a genius, but there is genius in looking at the macro, namely your gait. Try doing a treadmill video, you may be surprised at what you see.
Good luck
