persistent foot pain even after two surgeries

by Debbie
(USA)

Dr. Mitnick, thank you for your reply. The MN surgery I referred to was surgery to remove a Morton's neuroma from between 3rd and 4th toes on left foot. The foot does look better after the bunion surgery and where the bunion was doesn't hurt much. Its mainly the arch of that foot and along the top outside. My dr. didn't recommend therapy for either surgery. I asked him on my last visit if I could expect this to get well or at least better and he said 'possibly'. That's encouraging. He only said that if this didn't help the next time we'd have to go through the bottom to do surgery again. I'm afraid that would only make it worse. I don't have a problem with shoes. I've had to wear 'ugly' shoes for years because I will not wear a pair that hurt my foot! Thanks again for your help. I appreciate it.

Hi Debbie,
So...if I understand this correctly your "surgical sites" really are not an issue, ie the bunion and Mortons neuroma, but you have arch pain. I went back and re-read your original post and it seems to me (correct me if I am wrong) that you first went to the doctor with arch pain as your main complaint and ended up having a bunionectomy with an osteotomy along with neuroma surgery to alleviate the arch pain?? Is that correct? If I am correct in my understanding, I am at a loss to understand how a bunionectomy was going to alleviate arch pain.
You should definately get a second opinion and explain what type of pain initially brought you into the first doctor's office and what procedures were done in an effort to reduce your arch pain. I only have your side of the story but I cannot figure out the logic here. Also, keep in mind, just because you have bunions does not mean they HAVE to be operated on. Pain (in the bunion joint), should be your only reason to have them corrected.
Marc Mitnick DPM