Toe amputation is the surgical removal of a part of the foot, which consists of the tarsals of the bones. It is a medical procedure performed to treat infections in the toes, which are caused due to various reasons, such as trauma, injury to the toe, gangrene due to frostbite, or diabetes. This procedure is usually performed on patients with a diabetic foot who are generally prone to foot ulcers which may lead to gangrene infection and need an amputation in worst cases.
How is the Toe Amputation performed?
Before surgery:
- The healthcare professional may ask to get an X-ray and some blood tests done just to rule out diabetes and other complications that may obstruct the surgery.
- Bone scans are also performed to check how far the infection or injury has spread before performing the surgical procedure.
- Before performing the surgery, the doctors may ask the patient to stop taking all the anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning drugs that the patient may be put on.
During surgery:
- Once the patient is under the effect of anaesthesia, the wound is cleansed with an antibacterial wash or given a saline bath and cleaned dry.
- To prevent bleeding, veins or blood vessels around the area are tied off with an electric current.
- The surgeon then makes an incision and carefully removes the affected area.
- After the amputation, surrounding muscles and skin are pulled to be sealed and stitched.
After surgery:
- The patient is taken to the recovery wardroom and is kept under observation till the effect of anaesthesia wades off.
- The doctor prescribes some painkillers and antibiotics to relieve pain and to assist in speedy recovery before the patient is discharged from the hospital.
Average Cost of the Toe Amputation Surgery
| Description | Cost |
|---|---|
|
Average Cost of surgery in Hyderabad |
30,000 |
|
Average Cost of surgery in India |
100,000 |
| Surgery details | Description |
|---|---|
|
Number of days in the hospital |
1-7 days |
|
Type of surgery |
Major |
|
Type of Anaesthesia |
General |
|
Number of days required to recover |
3-4 weeks |
|
Duration of the procedure |
30-60 minutes |
|
Type of surgical options available |
Invasive |
Risks and Complications of the Toe Amputation Surgery
Delayed healing is quite possible depending on the extent of the infection that was prevalent. Recurrent Infection is sometimes observed for which the patient will be given antibiotics. The patient may feel aches and twinges in the wound for up to 6 months. There are chances of appearance of numb patches on the skin around the wound, which get better after 2 to 3 months.
References
https://www.scheckandsiress.com/blog/types-of-foot-amputations/
https://www.medanta.org/vascular-surgery/treatment/toe-amputation/#:~:text=What%20is%20Toe%20Amputation%3F,remove%20gangrene%20(dead%20tissues).
https://www.medanta.org/vascular-surgery/treatment/toe-amputation/#:~:text=What%20is%20Toe%20Amputation%3F,remove%20gangrene%20(dead%20tissues).
https://www.mvdiabetes.com/csr.html
https://www.indianhealthguru.com/amputation-toe-surgery-india.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/amputation-and-diabetes/art-20048262
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000018.htm#:~:text=Use%20soap%20and%20water%20on,not%20scrub%20the%20wound%20hard.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Toe Amputation Surgery
A duration of about 4 weeks off from work or normal routine is required. The recovery time depends on the type of work and the patient’s overall health.
Consult the healthcare provider for any discomfort during the recovery.
Amputating one or more toes will not prevent the patient from walking or running. However, the loss can grievously affect balance, stability, and can cause a great change in the walking biomechanics. Especially if the big toe is amputated, it can have a great effect on the patient’s walking and running gait.
Many studies and researches have shown that around 50% of people associated with diabetes have died within 2 years of having their toe amputated. Hence, ulceration and amputation in diabetics are associated with high mortality rates. The 5-years mortality rate can be seen in 40% of diabetics after the first amputation. A mortality rate of 52-80% can be seen after major amputation.
Wash the wound with the help of a gauze pad with some soap and water or use a clean cloth to wash the wound. Start cleaning it from one end and slowly reach the other end. During the process of cleaning make sure that there is no drainage or leakage of any bodily fluids from the wound.
There are various treatments available but it depends on the extent of the infection on the feet. The treatment encompasses methods to remove the necrotic tissue and keep the infected wound clean and promote healing. When the infection goes beyond any treatment, then surgery is the only option.
Yes, a surgeon will remove the damaged tissue and preserve as much healthy tissue as possible. After surgery, the patient will be monitored in the hospital for a few days. It may take four to six weeks for the wound to heal completely.
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