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

whole foot

by Jessica
(Florida)

I stepped on a piece of glass quite a few years ago and i have had 4 surgeries since then. I have also been through physical therapy 3 times and undergone multiple steroid cortisone shots to help with the pain. There is now talk of my nerve being swollen or hvaing a neuroma. One of the treatments that has been discussed is cutting the swollen nerve to where i know longer feel it. Im not sure of what some side effects might be. Im only 16 and have been dealing with all of this since i was about 12. Even though i stepped on the glass back when i was 8 or so. The first 2 surgeries were to retrieve the glass out of my foot, which we have found from x-rays really did nothign because there are still at least 10 pieces floating aroudn my foot, some of them which have somehow made it through my tendons to up near my bone, so they refuse to go digging that deep into my foot to retrieve it. The last 2 surgeries were to clear the scar tissue from around the nerve, which really caused no relief. So if you have any ideas or know what to expect if i should have to have my nerve cut, i would really like to know your input.

Hi Jessica,
The problem with your condition is that there are uncertain variables, essentially the pieces of glass that you say are still floating around in your foot. Sometimes trying to get out small pieces is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Because of this, even if you have the nerve (neuroma) removed you may still have pain. You and your doctor have to be certain that the lions share of your foot pain is coming from the nerve irritation and not floating pieces of glass.
You would not want to have another surgery only to find that you are really no better off. Also, keep in mind, every time you have surgery, your body's response to that is to form more scar tissue.
Before having surgery, I would try conservative treatment, primarily denatured alcohol injections. See my section on Mortons neuroma. The reason I mention this is that this type of injection would only improve nerve pain, so if it helped you would know that it is actually the nerve involved. Even if it only helped somewhat, at least you would know your pain is nerve pain. If it did not help at all, you may want to re-think the idea of neuroma as the source of your pain. Good luck.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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Aug 12, 2008
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by: Jessica

Well, i have since found out it is not Neuroma. I had an MRI done yesterday and they said no neuromas were found. so we are basically back to square one i guess. But thank you for all your help.

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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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Madison, Alabama

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South Africa

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Mansfield Ctr, CT

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Placentia, California

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Unknown location

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Unknown location

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New Zealand

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Arizona

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Thanks, Kathy

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Anna

Poland

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South Carolina

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unknown location

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location unknown

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location unknown

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Bre

location unknown

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so much for your reply. I did let my physician know and they took an x-ray - all is well! Also, thank you for providing this wonderful site, it is very helpful with lots of useful information! I appreciate your gift of time! God bless.

anonymous

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

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Poland

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Seattle, WA

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Bonnie

location unknown

Also, and importantly, just want to praise this web site. Thorough and thoughtfully presented, it certainly must be of considerable assistance to anyone with a foot problem. Terrific -- and very interesting.I trust the address comes up easily for those seeking information.

Bill

New Jersey

Thanks so much for answering my question. You've been more help to me than my own Dr. has been lately. Thanks again....I hope to be able to walk without pain someday.

Debbie

location unknown

Wow, that is exactly the information needed!!! thank you thank you thank you!!! I appreciate this help so very much from Marc Mitnick DPM. Excellent information and help to improve One's life.

Chrissy

location unknown

Thanks so much for this website Dr. Marc! It is so nice that you have this ask the doctor feature..I'm sure I'ts been helpful for alot of people. I will try what you suggested and see if it helps...thanks again!

Tracy

Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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Russ W.

location unknown

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San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Albany, NY

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location unknown

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Jackie

Whichita, KS

thanks again, this site is very helpful.

mark

Boston, MA

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Colorado

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Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown

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Canada

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location unknown

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Wisconsin

Thank you for your response. You have provided some great insight (to my question)....

Julie

location unknown

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Renae

North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

Thanks again doc for having this website and we STILL need qualified Podiatrists in beautiful sunny Tampa Bay (Bradenton) Florida.

Bessie Mae

Florida

Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

location unknown

Your webpage is excellent, I commend you on sharing your knowledge to the public.

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New Jersey

Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown

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Lenoir, NC

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Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

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