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What Is The Normal Recovery Period For A Toe Amputation?
Question: Last year at the age of 55 On Dec12, I had my left pinky toe amputated. It had always been bent since I was a toddler and resting on top of my foot. It had started to cause me pain and my podiatrist tried injections and prescriptive creme to see if that would relax the nerves that we're pulling and causing the issue. When that didn't work.. He recommended amputating the toe as it would not be that complicated and recovery would be easier and stated that I would be back in normal shoes within 2 weeks.
Well it's been 9 MONTHS and tho I am back to wearing normal closed toe shoes. I still have a lot of sensitivity especially on the left side of my foot where the toe used to be. I have been back to my doctor about 4 times (twice because there was an issue with the "hole" not closing well and his having to pick off some tissue or something (I have pics if you would like to see them).
The last time I went back, the hole had closed but when I mentioned the sensitivity on the side of my foot and at times on the bottom.. He gave me some pads to put in the bottom of my shoe and sent me home.
I guess my real concern is should I be pain free by now? If not, what is the normal recovery period for a toe amputation?
Well it's been 9 MONTHS and tho I am back to wearing normal closed toe shoes. I still have a lot of sensitivity especially on the left side of my foot where the toe used to be. I have been back to my doctor about 4 times (twice because there was an issue with the "hole" not closing well and his having to pick off some tissue or something (I have pics if you would like to see them).
The last time I went back, the hole had closed but when I mentioned the sensitivity on the side of my foot and at times on the bottom.. He gave me some pads to put in the bottom of my shoe and sent me home.
I guess my real concern is should I be pain free by now? If not, what is the normal recovery period for a toe amputation?
Brief Answer:
3-4 months normal recovery period a toe amputation
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
I'm Dr. Sudhir Kumar,
After carefully considering your query and treatment history I concluded that your sensitivity of foot should became normal 3 months after your wound completely healed.I consider 3-4 months normal recovery period a toe for amputation.I have few questions to be asked from you.
How much time has passed after complete healing of your wound?
Whether you are diabetic?
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Wishing you good health.
Take care
3-4 months normal recovery period a toe amputation
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
I'm Dr. Sudhir Kumar,
After carefully considering your query and treatment history I concluded that your sensitivity of foot should became normal 3 months after your wound completely healed.I consider 3-4 months normal recovery period a toe for amputation.I have few questions to be asked from you.
How much time has passed after complete healing of your wound?
Whether you are diabetic?
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Wishing you good health.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you for your reply!
I am not a diabetic.
I went back to the podiatrist on 2/8/14 and again on 3/25/14 as the wound was not healing and had a crust on it (as you can see in the picture and also the swelling was causing my foot to peel painfully). He then prescribe me Santyl ointment 250 to be applied to the wound.
By mid April, the wound then finally closed but still remains sensitive on the side of my foot, the top of the toe and underneath the toe. He did tell me that he had to shave some bone on the side once he removed the toe.
I went back to the podiatrist on 6/2/14 complaining of pain and let him know that the my foot feels the most UNcomfortable when I am barefoot or have my foot elevated while barefoot... that it feels most comfortable when I wear a sock and tennis shoes. That's when he gave me pads for the ball of my foot to put in my shoes and sent me home.
At this point I'm not sure what to do. I sent you pics as I hope this will help you see what is going on. The last picture is a picture of my toe on 9/20/14.
Thanks so much for your input!
I am not a diabetic.
I went back to the podiatrist on 2/8/14 and again on 3/25/14 as the wound was not healing and had a crust on it (as you can see in the picture and also the swelling was causing my foot to peel painfully). He then prescribe me Santyl ointment 250 to be applied to the wound.
By mid April, the wound then finally closed but still remains sensitive on the side of my foot, the top of the toe and underneath the toe. He did tell me that he had to shave some bone on the side once he removed the toe.
I went back to the podiatrist on 6/2/14 complaining of pain and let him know that the my foot feels the most UNcomfortable when I am barefoot or have my foot elevated while barefoot... that it feels most comfortable when I wear a sock and tennis shoes. That's when he gave me pads for the ball of my foot to put in my shoes and sent me home.
At this point I'm not sure what to do. I sent you pics as I hope this will help you see what is going on. The last picture is a picture of my toe on 9/20/14.
Thanks so much for your input!
Brief Answer:
Desensitization with your finger tips will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back,
After going through your query, follow up query and photographs carefully I concluded that your wound has completely healed since April. 5 months has passed, it should not be so sensitive till now. Now issue of sensitivity of your toe (Healed area) remains. In such cases desensitization of area is done by tapping with your finger tips for 10-15 minutes many times(4-6) a day over the area. When you take bath wash the area with shop and water thoroughly. This will help in desensitization. Analgesic such as diclofenac can be taken for pain relief. Rest you follow the advise of your doctor. Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wishing you good health.
Desensitization with your finger tips will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back,
After going through your query, follow up query and photographs carefully I concluded that your wound has completely healed since April. 5 months has passed, it should not be so sensitive till now. Now issue of sensitivity of your toe (Healed area) remains. In such cases desensitization of area is done by tapping with your finger tips for 10-15 minutes many times(4-6) a day over the area. When you take bath wash the area with shop and water thoroughly. This will help in desensitization. Analgesic such as diclofenac can be taken for pain relief. Rest you follow the advise of your doctor. Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wishing you good health.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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