Anyone ever have a toe removed?

[BrewinBromanite]

Now this is how you title a post!
I had to click and read!

I've now seen this and Yooper's "Brewing Naked" post all in the same day. It's been an interesting day!

And on a serious note, I was also thinking of phantom-pain. I'd definitely get your doctor's opinion, and at least a 2nd opinion, before pushing for amputation.



Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[passedpawn]

3pm appointment tomorrow. Snip.

And bolt cutters are not the tool of choice. I've honestly woken up in the middle of the night and fantasized about a pair of limb loppers I have in the garage. Perfect job for the task.

 

[SupervisingChildren]

I know someone who had all of the toes on one foot amputated except for the big toe, then had that phallic looking thing removed a few years later due to issues.
Get an xray or even better a technetium bone scan. It can show hairline fractures.
+1 to seeing a good podiatrist, who would likely order the scan.

 

[passedpawn]

I when I read the title, I wondered if you were worried about getting drafted, but that is usually the pinkie toe.

Haha, I did my time already.

 

[ong]

You can name your brewery One less toe brewing or lost toe brewing.

How about "Nine Little Piggies Brewing"?

 

[Black Island Brewer]

$14.99 at Harbor Freight will take care of your problem. Cheaper than a Dr. visit, and your risk of Staph infection is probably about the same. Just follow proper sanitation techniques and drink a lot of home brew before hand.

I think Starsan would do the trick. Don't fear the foam!

 

[Quadrupled]

3pm appointment tomorrow. Snip.

No more counting to twenty for you...

 

[cannman]

Sooooooooooo did we visit the dr???

 

[illinoisbrassman]

No more counting to twenty for you...

He could still count to 20, 21 might be a problem

 

[passedpawn]

Sooooooooooo did we visit the dr???

Rescheduled to 8am tomorrow. Turns out my insurance allows me to bypass the primary care guy and go right to Marquis de Sade. SNIP!

 

[snowveil]

I had an accident with a lawn mower when I was 4 and received a toe-thumb transplant. The big toe on my left foot is now the thumb on my left hand.

Yes, my balance is (and always has been) fine. The one thing you'll notice is increased strain on the ball of your left foot directly below where the toe is removed. I work 10 hour days on my feet, so my feet are already pretty calloused, but this area in particular seems to catch the brunt of it. Of course, maybe it' s just how I carry myself. Occasionally my foot goes numb during rigorous exercise and repeated motion (long bike rides, etc), however it's not severe.

I grew up with this injury, so it didn't really take a lot of "getting used to."

I'd say definitely go with what your podiatrist recommends.

 

[passedpawn]

I had an accident with a lawn mower when I was 4 and received a toe-thumb transplant. The big toe on my left foot is now the thumb on my left hand.

Yes, my balance is (and always has been) fine. The one thing you'll notice is increased strain on the ball of your left foot directly below where the toe is removed. I work 10 hour days on my feet, so my feet are already pretty calloused, but this area in particular seems to catch the brunt of it. Of course, maybe it' s just how I carry myself. Occasionally my foot goes numb during rigorous exercise and repeated motion (long bike rides, etc), however it's not severe.

I grew up with this injury, so it didn't really take a lot of "getting used to."

I'd say definitely go with what your podiatrist recommends.

Wow, very cool. BTW, I get numb feet occasionally too, but that's normal on long rides.

I appreciate the response. I doubt the pod will get on board with the removal, but if it's the easiest route I'm pushing for it. I hate all this stuff, docs and such.

 

[cannman]

Just be prepared... bring your own mason jar.

 

[passedpawn]

Good riddance to that MFer. I hate my left big toe. I hope it burns.

 

[snowveil]

I appreciate the response. I doubt the pod will get on board with the removal, but if it's the easiest route I'm pushing for it. I hate all this stuff, docs and such.

Certainly if he's willing to recommend the procedure, I wouldn't be fearful of it being done. A missing toe won't affect your balance like a large portion of the public seems to think it will.

Plus, as an added benefit, you can mess around with little kids like when I played "got your nose" and "you got my toe" with my 4 year old nephew. He was very confused, and his mom was unsure whether to be upset or laugh about it.

 

[Homercidal]

Ok, I still don't get this. Why wouldn't you opt to have some kind of scan performed and find out exactly what's going on? It could be as simple of cutting out a fragment of bone, or fusing something together! There is likely a good chance of it being no big deal to correct WITHOUT amputation!

 

[GHBWNY]

It's been this way for SEVERAL YEARS?? And you've had annual doc visits and he doesn't know about it? Whoa, bro. Since you're asking everyone's opinion, my VERY amateur one is that a GP is going to look at it and send you to a specialist. Though painful and semi-non-functional, I doubt a specialist is going to agree to remove it on that basis alone. There are a lot of things that can be done to correct, alleviate discomfort, heal, cure, etc., besides removal. And a lot less risky infection-wise.

P.S. I don't like going to the doctor either.

 

[Quadrupled]

Ok, I still don't get this. Why wouldn't you opt to have some kind of scan performed and find out exactly what's going on? It could be as simple of cutting out a fragment of bone, or fusing something together! There is likely a good chance of it being no big deal to correct WITHOUT amputation!

Whoa whoa whoa...that's some LGI-like advice there. There's no place for outside of the box logic when it comes to toe amputation.

 

[passedpawn]

Saw a podiatrist today. Got x-rays. Seems that when I kicked the curb I damaged the joint. I now have an arthritic joint; that means that the space that's normally between two bones in my toe isn't there any more and the bones are rubbing together.

The ultimate solution is to fuse the bones together (screws). Doc wants to fit me for a custom orthotic insert for my running shoes. Of course, that doesn't make this problem go away, so I'm not sure what that is meant to accomplish. In fact, I am usually in sandals or barefoot most days since I work at home.

I mentioned the idea of just removing the toe after the joint. He says that most patients don't want stuff removed, but I got the impression that it might be a sensible solution. I have another appt in a week, I'll dig more into this and see what he says. BTW, while toe amputation might seem like a radical thing here on HBT, it's pretty common in a podiatrists office. They get tons of diabetic people who need toes removed. They don't blink when the subject of amputation comes up.

 

[jhoneycutt]

I just can't imagine life without all of em ya know. I've grown attached to the little suckers over the years.

 

[Homercidal]

A damaged joint might be expensive to repair, and I think the technology for a permanent joint replacement is not there yet. Amputation seems reasonable in that case. Arthritis might be a constant pain in the you-know-what (big toe) and not worth the appendage.

Diabetes is a whole nother thing. Amputation is warranted based on the fact that the problem could spread up the leg if it doesn't heal, and healing is severely affected in people with diabetes. For them, it's often a matter of general good health, or even life or death.

Just be thankful it's your toe and not your hands. I don't know what I's do if I lost my ability to grip things...

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

Here you go PP...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_integrity_identity_disorder

 

[GHBWNY]

This is a pic from 3 years ago when I hurt it.

So, which is the bad one?

J/K bro!

 

[passedpawn]

So, which is the bad one?

haha, I'm no foot model.

 

[passedpawn]

Here you go PP...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_integrity_identity_disorder

Close. My condition is referred to as Hatred of Throbbing Pain Disorder.

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

Close. My condition is referred to as Hatred of Throbbing Pain Disorder.

Unless it's all in your head. Which, of course, would mean you are crazy and in which case, see above disorder

 

[Quadrupled]

Saw a podiatrist today. I mentioned the idea of just removing the toe after the joint...He says that most patients don't want stuff removed, but I got the impression that it might be a sensible solution.

I honestly thought you were jesting until I saw the appointment reference in your space station thread. Good luck and hope you are soon pain free.

 

[W0GWT]

they don't blink when the subject of amputation comes up.

snip, snip, snip

 

[shelly_belly]

Ask your doctor about diclofenac. I've been taking it for a few years for Rheumatoid arthritis and it also makes my mangled toe (crushed) not hurt.

 

[passedpawn]

Ask your doctor about diclofenac. I've been taking it for a few years for Rheumatoid arthritis and it also makes my mangled toe (crushed) not hurt.

Interesting! Any idea how it compares to Aleve (naproxen)?