FAQ
Questions from people suffering from this condition below:
How do I know if I have one or more MNE in my foot?
The doctor should do a clinical exam and try to elicit a positive pinch test (nerve is pinched from above and below and it hurts) and selective nerve blocks of each potential nerve entrapment area. This may have to be done on separate visits.
What is the difference between a scarred nerve and a swollen one?
Swelling is usually an early sign during the development of MNE and scarring comes later.
What % of MNEs will go away on their own or with conservative treatment?
About 20-25%.
How long should one wait for decompression surgery?
This varies but probably between 6-12 months of consistent symptoms.
What kind of doctor should I see in the USA?
Well, preferably one who has had additional peripheral nerve surgery training whether it was with the AENS or with a fellowship or a proper training course by surgeons who are skilled at the procedure. Usually this means a podiatrist just by volume but there are also orthopedic doctors and plastic surgeons. Surprisingly, here in the USA neurosurgeons are not good choices for this.
Will decompression surgery get rid of the lump feeling under the foot?
In most cases yes but in about 25% no it will not go away but the pain does.
What is the difference between open or closed decompression?
Open is about a 1-2 inch incision on the top of the foot and the nerve is seen under magnification and any scar or fibrosis can be removed if present using micro-surgical techniques. Closed means through a small 2mm incision or endoscopically where the scar or fibrosis cannot be removed both are very successful and have a near zero percent chance of a stump neuroma.
Can I have decompression after neurectomy?
Unfortunately NO.
What if I had many injections or cryoablation or radio frequency ablation can I still have decompression?
Yes but the success rate will drop depending on the damage done.
How do you know if the pain after a neurectomy is a stump or just normal?
You really can’t tell but if by 6 months you are not better then a stump is likely the issue.
Why isn’t there more doctors doing decompression and success rates?
The answer is essentially money and dogma. It is engrained into the system that neurectomy works just fine and that is simply not true! There are studies out there that show over 83% success rates with decompression and the failure rates of neurectomy as high as 40%. There is no money to be made by companies to promote the surgery so that is why there aren’t more studies or any social media surrounding it.