{
  "name": "Steady recovery claims — Morton's neuroma excision",
  "procedure": "Morton's neuroma excision",
  "bodyRegion": "foot",
  "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/morton-neuroma-excision",
  "attribution": "Steady — https://growsteady.me/recovery-data. Free to quote and reuse with a link back.",
  "schemaUrl": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/claims.json",
  "disclaimer": "Published cohort data. Not medical advice, not a prediction for an individual, and not a substitute for a surgeon or clinician.",
  "lastReviewed": "2026-06-24",
  "count": 12,
  "claims": [
    {
      "id": "morton-neuroma-excision:pain:week-0",
      "procedure": "morton-neuroma-excision",
      "procedureName": "Morton's neuroma excision",
      "bodyRegion": "foot",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 0 after Morton's neuroma excision?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 0 after Morton's neuroma excision, typical reported pain is 7 out of 10, within a reported band of 5.3 to 8.5. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 0,
      "weekEnd": 0,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 5.3,
        "typical": 7,
        "high": 8.5,
        "scale": "VAS 0-10 pre-op baseline; typical 7.04 from Karakaplan dorsal cohort (PMID 27627563); range spans Xu 5.25 (PMC9535891) to a plantar-approach cohort mean 8, range 6-9 (PMID 26253529)"
      },
      "source": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27627563/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/morton-neuroma-excision",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-24"
    },
    {
      "id": "morton-neuroma-excision:pain:week-52",
      "procedure": "morton-neuroma-excision",
      "procedureName": "Morton's neuroma excision",
      "bodyRegion": "foot",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 52 after Morton's neuroma excision?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 52 after Morton's neuroma excision, typical reported pain is 1 out of 10, within a reported band of 0.4 to 1.4. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 52,
      "weekEnd": 52,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 0.4,
        "typical": 1,
        "high": 1.4,
        "scale": "VAS 0-10 at final follow-up (the excision literature reports one late endpoint, mean 1.5-7.4 yr, not 12 months specifically); typical ~1.0 (Xu dorsal 1.00, PMC9535891; microsurgical 0.9, PMC9398578); low 0.4 (plantar cohort, PMID 26253529); high 1.4 (Karakaplan, PMID 27627563)"
      },
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9535891/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/morton-neuroma-excision",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-24"
    },
    {
      "id": "morton-neuroma-excision:milestone:weight-bearing-in-a-post-op-shoe",
      "procedure": "morton-neuroma-excision",
      "procedureName": "Morton's neuroma excision",
      "bodyRegion": "foot",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Weight-bearing in a post-op shoe\" typical after Morton's neuroma excision?",
      "title": "Weight-bearing in a post-op shoe",
      "answer": "After Morton's neuroma excision, \"Weight-bearing in a post-op shoe\" is typically reached around week 0. Reported range: From the day of surgery in a stiff-soled post-op shoe with crutches for a dorsal incision; a plantar incision needs longer before full weight goes through it. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 0,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://policyonline.nhslothian.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mortons_neuroma_excision_surgery.pdf",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/morton-neuroma-excision",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-24"
    },
    {
      "id": "morton-neuroma-excision:milestone:stitches-out-wound-can-get-wet",
      "procedure": "morton-neuroma-excision",
      "procedureName": "Morton's neuroma excision",
      "bodyRegion": "foot",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Stitches out, wound can get wet\" typical after Morton's neuroma excision?",
      "title": "Stitches out, wound can get wet",
      "answer": "After Morton's neuroma excision, \"Stitches out, wound can get wet\" is typically reached around week 2. Reported range: About 2 weeks; the wound is kept dry until the sutures come out. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 2,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://policyonline.nhslothian.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mortons_neuroma_excision_surgery.pdf",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/morton-neuroma-excision",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-24"
    },
    {
      "id": "morton-neuroma-excision:milestone:return-to-driving",
      "procedure": "morton-neuroma-excision",
      "procedureName": "Morton's neuroma excision",
      "bodyRegion": "foot",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Return to driving\" typical after Morton's neuroma excision?",
      "title": "Return to driving",
      "answer": "After Morton's neuroma excision, \"Return to driving\" is typically reached around week 4. Reported range: About 4 weeks in the UK, once an emergency stop is possible; a left foot or an automatic can be sooner. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 4,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://policyonline.nhslothian.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mortons_neuroma_excision_surgery.pdf",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/morton-neuroma-excision",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-24"
    },
    {
      "id": "morton-neuroma-excision:milestone:back-into-an-everyday-shoe",
      "procedure": "morton-neuroma-excision",
      "procedureName": "Morton's neuroma excision",
      "bodyRegion": "foot",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Back into an everyday shoe\" typical after Morton's neuroma excision?",
      "title": "Back into an everyday shoe",
      "answer": "After Morton's neuroma excision, \"Back into an everyday shoe\" is typically reached around week 5. Reported range: About 4 to 6 weeks for a trainer or loose lace-up shoe; narrow or fashion shoes take months. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 5,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.nth.nhs.uk/resources/surgery-to-remove-a-mortons-neuroma/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/morton-neuroma-excision",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-24"
    },
    {
      "id": "morton-neuroma-excision:milestone:return-to-sport-and-impact-activity",
      "procedure": "morton-neuroma-excision",
      "procedureName": "Morton's neuroma excision",
      "bodyRegion": "foot",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Return to sport and impact activity\" typical after Morton's neuroma excision?",
      "title": "Return to sport and impact activity",
      "answer": "After Morton's neuroma excision, \"Return to sport and impact activity\" is typically reached around week 12. Reported range: Around 3 months; impact sport is usually held until about 12 weeks. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 12,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://policyonline.nhslothian.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mortons_neuroma_excision_surgery.pdf",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/morton-neuroma-excision",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-24"
    },
    {
      "id": "morton-neuroma-excision:milestone:swelling-settles-and-full-recovery",
      "procedure": "morton-neuroma-excision",
      "procedureName": "Morton's neuroma excision",
      "bodyRegion": "foot",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Swelling settles and full recovery\" typical after Morton's neuroma excision?",
      "title": "Swelling settles and full recovery",
      "answer": "After Morton's neuroma excision, \"Swelling settles and full recovery\" is typically reached around week 26. Reported range: Forefoot swelling commonly lasts about 3 months; full settling of pain and swelling can take up to a year. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 26,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://policyonline.nhslothian.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mortons_neuroma_excision_surgery.pdf",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/morton-neuroma-excision",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-24"
    },
    {
      "id": "morton-neuroma-excision:phase:week-0-2",
      "procedure": "morton-neuroma-excision",
      "procedureName": "Morton's neuroma excision",
      "bodyRegion": "foot",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after Morton's neuroma excision?",
      "title": "The nerve pain is gone, the surgery is not",
      "answer": "Most people wake with the original neuroma pain already gone, because the nerve that produced it has been removed. What is left is incision soreness and forefoot swelling. For a dorsal incision you weight-bear from day one in a stiff-soled post-op shoe with crutches, keeping walking light at first.",
      "weekStart": 0,
      "weekEnd": 2,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://policyonline.nhslothian.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mortons_neuroma_excision_surgery.pdf",
      "sourceNote": "NHS Lothian patient protocol",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/morton-neuroma-excision",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-24"
    },
    {
      "id": "morton-neuroma-excision:phase:week-2-6",
      "procedure": "morton-neuroma-excision",
      "procedureName": "Morton's neuroma excision",
      "bodyRegion": "foot",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after Morton's neuroma excision?",
      "title": "Out of the post-op shoe",
      "answer": "Stitches usually come out around two weeks and the wound can get wet. Over the next few weeks most people move from the post-op shoe into a roomy trainer; one NHS trust frames everyday shoes at four to six weeks. UK guidance puts driving at about four weeks, once an emergency stop is possible.",
      "weekStart": 2,
      "weekEnd": 6,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.nth.nhs.uk/resources/surgery-to-remove-a-mortons-neuroma/",
      "sourceNote": "North Tees and Hartlepool NHS",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/morton-neuroma-excision",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-24"
    },
    {
      "id": "morton-neuroma-excision:phase:week-6-12",
      "procedure": "morton-neuroma-excision",
      "procedureName": "Morton's neuroma excision",
      "bodyRegion": "foot",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after Morton's neuroma excision?",
      "title": "Walking normally, swelling lingering",
      "answer": "By six to twelve weeks most people are walking normally in everyday shoes and back at work, with standing or manual jobs taking longer. Impact activity and sport are usually held until around three months. The toes often stay puffy through this whole period, which is expected.",
      "weekStart": 6,
      "weekEnd": 12,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://policyonline.nhslothian.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mortons_neuroma_excision_surgery.pdf",
      "sourceNote": "NHS Lothian patient protocol",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/morton-neuroma-excision",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-24"
    },
    {
      "id": "morton-neuroma-excision:phase:week-12-on",
      "procedure": "morton-neuroma-excision",
      "procedureName": "Morton's neuroma excision",
      "bodyRegion": "foot",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after Morton's neuroma excision?",
      "title": "The settled result over the first year",
      "answer": "By three months most people are back to usual activities, though NHS guidance notes the last of the pain and swelling can take up to a year to settle completely. For most the result is good and stable from here; the sections below cover how often that holds and what the minority experience.",
      "weekStart": 12,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://policyonline.nhslothian.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mortons_neuroma_excision_surgery.pdf",
      "sourceNote": "NHS Lothian patient protocol",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/morton-neuroma-excision",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-24"
    }
  ]
}