According to MedlinePlus, of the National Institutes of Health, Morton's neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue commonly between the third and fourth toes. This condition is more common in women than men, but the exact cause is unknown. Foot abnormalities are thought to contribute to Morton's neuroma development. Most cases are treated nonsurgically; however, surgery may be required in cases that do not improve with nonsurgical methods.
Infection
A patient is at risk for having an infection after Morton's neuroma surgery. This occurs because bacteria on the skin, surgical tools or surgeons may come into contact with the surgical wound. If this occurs, there is a possibility that bacteria can reproduce and spread into the wound and into the foot. In more severe cases, the bacteria can spread to the rest of the body and cause a systemic infection. Thus, a patient must let her doctor know if she experiences excessive pain, drainage or notes a foul odor from the surgical wound. Early treatment can prevent serious complications.
Excessive Bleeding
A patient may experience excessive bleeding from the surgical site, particularly if the patient is taking blood thinners such as aspirin, clopidogrel or warfarin. This occurs because these medications prevent normal blood clotting, which can make bleeding difficult to control after surgery. Also, a surgeon may incidentally damage a large blood vessel in the foot, which can also cause excessive bleeding. In this case, a patient should immediately tell her doctor if she continues to notice blood oozing from the surgical site. The surgeon may prescribe a medication to help improve clotting, or he may perform surgery to repair the damaged blood vessel.
Numbness
MayoClinic.com states that a patient may experience permanent numbness after Morton's neuroma surgery. This occurs because the surgeon completely removes the neuroma and the nerve. Thus, a patient will experience permanent numbness along the distribution of the nerve. While movement of the foot will not be affected, numbness can carry significant risks. A patient may have an injury to that part of the foot that she may not feel, and because she has no sensation in this area, she may neglect to seek treatment for the injury, which can result in further complications. Thus, a patient with numbness after Morton's neuroma surgery should check her feet once a day for injuries.
