Nerve Damage In Foot?
 

Ok, to start with, sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong topic. Just joined the site today (found it after a Google search, actually) and I'm hoping I can get some help.

I had bunion surgery on my right foot on April 29th. I went through the recovery fine, and it was getting better. All of a sudden around three months ago, it started hurting again. My doctor has taken x-rays and assures me everything is still in place (he fixed it by putting in a steel plate and four screws) and tells me it's probably nerve damage.

I'm going back to see him on the 12th, and I'm wondering what I should ask? He's given me a few cortisone shots to try to fix it (the first one worked for about a week, and the second one didn't do a thing.) My sister is a nurse, and she recommended I ask about Lyrica, supposedly it's helped people in similar situations.

I'd just really like to get some advice on this. The pain is fairly constant, especially at work (I'm a chef) where I'm on my feet all day, but it also hurts when I'm just sitting down (like now.) It's getting to the point where it's really disrupting my life, and I need some help. Thanks to anyone who replies.

Other people here are more knowledgeable about many aspects of neuropathy. Someone should be able to tell you about Lyrica and other meds for nerve pain.

My beloved had bunion surgery a little over a year ago. She was given some physical therapy, and did a lot of rubbing and stretching of the foot to prevent scar tissue adhesions.

Did your doctor give you guidance on therapy for recovery, or send you to a physical therapist?

Her situation is not like yours; her complications appear to be mostly due to bone alignment, and to a cyst which formed over one of the screws. No nerve pain per se.

However, orthotics to align her foot and toes have been a great help.

Her surgeon gave her the option of a second operation, to remove the plate and screws -- at least in her case, once her bones and ligaments healed the plate became unnecessary. She opted not to do that, since the cyst resolved itself and the plate is not otherwise troublesome. But removal of the plate may be an option for you if it's irritating nerves. Your doc will advise you on that, I imagine.

Someone will chime in about the meds, I'm sure.

Sorry to read of your troubles, I know how annoying it can get. My right big toe has been numb for 8 months and now it's starting to make my whole right foot ache after walking due to the lack of support. It's strange how sensitive our nerves are. I wish you luck in your recovery.

Nope, he didn't send me to physical therapy or anything. He's been really awesome and supportive through the whole thing, but I'm thinking about seeing another doctor for a second opinion just to see if he missed anything.

Another opinion is a good idea.

insilverscript --

Here's a link to some recommended post-bunionectomy foot exercises:

http://www.permanente.net/homepage/kaiser/pdf/323.pdf

It's a PDF document.

There's also a longer article on pros and cons of post-bunionectomy therapy in the Lower Extremity Review (there's a review for everything these days):

http://www.lowerextremityreview.com/...ysical-therapy

Not saying that therapy would make a difference with nerve pain, though. Might talk to your doc about it just as a side issue, especially since he's open and supportive.

Briefly, about Lyrica -- Mrs. D has a post about Neurontin and Lyrica here:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post829091-8.html

The post is #8 in the Drugs Used For Treating Peripheral Neuropathy discussion.

Good luck.