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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

I spoke to you last week about my 3rd toe amputation and a nerve entrapment.

by Jill S.
(Milford,ct)

Well,I went back to the original Podiatrist who did my surgery,and basically I told him about your advice and he said that he wanted more Xrays and an MRI done. I gave him the MRI and report from my @nd opinion.As I told you they both came up showing zitch.Yesterday he injected more cortisone in the spot where my toe used to be. Excruciating pain there. He then said that in a month if this doesn't work then another shot end of April. then perhaps surgery. Today not only in pain but worse pain from shot on top of regular pain. Couldn't sleep a wink last night.Have you heard of Cryogenic surgery? My Dr said I have Stump Neuroms. I have ben online researching both traditional and Cryo surgery . Please give me your advice. Thanks Again- Jill from CT

RESPONSE

Hi Jill,

As I think I had originally suggested to you, a stump neuroma was one of my thoughts. It seems to be the only logical explanation for the amount of pain that you are in.
The fact that the cortisone shot made it worse is neither here nor there in changing my thought.
Cryogenic surgery is a possible treatment option for neuroma. If you go to my article on Morton's neuroma, there is a video of the procedure.
There is a caveat here. Basically, cryosurgery freezes the nerve and thereby deadens the tissue. Because of this I am not sure freezing the nerve will actually reach the part that is embedded in scar tissue.
I think in your last post you had mentioned that you had received alcohol injections which did not help. The same rule would apply here. The injection could did not reach the part of the nerve embedded in scar tissue.
Although, familiar with the concept of cryosurgery, I personally do not perform it as I prefer the denatured alcohol injections as they basically have the same outcome and the injections are a little less invasive.
There probably is no harm in considering cryosurgery because it is relatively noninvasive, but it is my feeling that the only way you are going to end up resolving this issue is through surgery. In this surgery, the entrapped nerve has to be freed up from the scar tissue and then that portion of nerve would have to be excised.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Mar 27, 2012
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by: Anonymous

Jill..

in reading your symptoms you are describing my husbands nite mare. I so want to help him but just don't know where to go.. After a terrible accident with a lawn mower he ended up having 1/2 his big toe and all 3rd toe amputated. He sounds to me that he has the nerve entrapment as you describe.

Would you be able to recommend the Dr that helped you out? It would be very appreciated. We also live in NJ and I am getting desparate for him.. he gets no sleep whatsoever.. its been since June 2011..

Thank you Jim and Mark
Lori

Mar 22, 2012
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3rd toe
by: jill S

Thank you so much for all of your advice. In searching the web for people dealing with this same issue i can tell you that you are a Knight In shining Armor! If I lived in Jersey I would gladly be your Spokesperson. Hopefully next time you hear from me it will be good news. God Bless,Jill S

Mar 21, 2012
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reply from 3rd toe amputation
by: Jill S

My next question is this. I just had the shot yesterday and am in more pain than I was in before it. The Dr wants to wait another month and do another injection. Basically I am trapped in my house until then and then a repeat of this experience with another shot? Can I call my Dr next week or so and tell him that I am in agony and tell him no more shots and want surgery asap? I feel so helpless. Thanks again, Jill S.

Sure, have the conversation with him and see what he says.

Marc Mitnick DPM

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Rivi,

Albany, NY

Thank you so much for all of your advice. In searching the web for people dealing with this same issue i can tell you that you are a Knight In shining Armor! If I lived in Jersey I would gladly be your Spokesperson. Hopefully next time you hear from me it will be good news. God Bless,

Jill S.

location unknown

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a mom

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Jodi

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I spoke to you last week about my 3rd toe amputation and a nerve entrapment.

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