How successful is Morton’s neuroma surgery and how long is recovery?
Short answer: Surgery provides good or excellent outcomes for many appropriately selected patients, but persistent pain, numbness and recurrence remain possible. Recovery is gradual even when a smaller incision is used.
A randomised comparison reported clinically good outcomes in more than four out of five patients after either plantar or dorsal surgery. Other systematic reviews show meaningful satisfaction after neurectomy or neurolysis, while definitions and follow-up vary.
Risks include infection, wound problems, painful scar, numbness between the toes, stump neuroma, recurrent pain, complex regional pain syndrome and need for revision. Some numbness after neurectomy is expected because a sensory nerve segment is removed.
Patients usually use a postoperative shoe, elevate the foot and progressively increase walking. Return to ordinary shoes, driving, work and sport depends on the side treated, wound, swelling and job. Dr Lafferty’s smaller-incision approach is intended to support an efficient recovery without making a fixed-time promise.