Toe amputation.

[WPD]

Hi I have been a diabetic type 1 for 45 years. Last year I had a liwer leg bypass which sadly failed after 6 months. I am due to have another one next month, however have been told I am going to lose all my toes on my right foot. Is there anyone who has experienced this and could tell me about the recovery period.
Thanks .

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about your feet @WPD

One member here @MikeyBikey has been having a difficult time with his feet over the past few years, including recovery from amputation.

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/mdi-insulin-before-surgery.100039/

There is also a thread about transmetatarsal amputation here which may offer some pointers

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/considering-a-midfoot-transmetatarsal-amputation-what-should-i-be-aware-of-following-the-op.100909/

 

[MikeyBikey]

Good morning @WPD ! Sorry to read about your issues but like me you will date back to glass syringes and next to useless rone tests. I am just off (hopefully) to podiatry with my leaky tight foot. Back later!

 

[MikeyBikey]

Apologies for font. I have tried to correct without joy!

Hello again! Sorry to hear your bypass failed. When I had my leg amputated they were not even willing to try it but the 2020 lockdowns were a bad time to receive any form of medical treatment. Timescales to full recovery very greatly, and with diabetes (or a history of heavy smoking) and impaired circulation will be longer than somebody who is non-diabetic who loses a toe(s), part of a foot or a leg due to say a motorcycle accident. Recovery from a leg amputation to the point where you get a prosthetic 4 to 8 weeks. In my case it was 8 weeks for both the initial amputation and the revision surgery. With your type of amputation I think we are talking more around 2 to 4 weeks. In my amputee journey I have only met one person who had their toes amputated. Once fairly well healed you will be measured up for special shoes with an insert to replace the missing toes. Usually the only toe that causes serious walking issues if it is amputated is the big toe as will be the case with yourself. You should have physiotherapy to help with your walking with your balance and walking as if you do this incorrectly you could develop hip and/or knee problems (I analysed walking for five years till 2019 when I was axed10 weeks after returning to work following heart bypass surgery!). Do you have anyone to look after you when you come out of hospital as some tasks are a real struggle. The hospital OTs and physios should be advise you and I would suggest you contact them then if possible beforehand. I think that's it for now. Some people are very down after amputation so do not be surprised if it happens to you. I personally did not really get upset about the amputation but more about the severe frustrations in day-to-day life but then you will not be suffering the severe mobility problems I have. I think that's about it for now. Any other questions it up flagging me or message me. Hope it all goes well!

One thing that is barely mentioned is phantom pain although it has been known about for 400 years once people started surviving it! Some people do not suffer it at all whilst others (like myself) suffer quite badly. The less that is amputated the less likely you are to suffer it. It varies between a sensation the part is still there to quite severe pain that varies between a burning sensation, cramp and a feeling something has been broken. Never suffer this in silence but ask for help.

MikeyBikey (aka PegLegMike (aka Big Shoulders))​

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Apologies for font. I have tried to correct without joy!

I’ve corrected the font size and style for you @MikeyBikey 🙂

 

[MikeyBikey]

Just wondering if @WPD ever read my reply as they have not logged since their original post. If you read this let us know how you are as I know how quickly infection can set in and take off!