Amputation: Toe

What Is Toe Amputation?

Vascular surgeons usually perform toe amputation surgery on patients with foot infections as a result of diabetes.  Diabetes can cause hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), and patients with diabetes can develop foot/toe ulcerations.   Diabetes is also a factor in blocked arteries resulting in inadequate blood supply to the foot, which can result in decaying tissue, additional infections, pain, and swelling.  Toe amputation is considered a minor procedure and ray amputation is a particular form of amputation where a toe and part of the metatarsal bone is removed.  Where serious infection is present, a forefoot amputation can sometimes be performed to remove more than one toe.   In this procedure all of the toes and the ball of the foot are removed.

Toe Amputation: Surgical procedure

In a toe amputation procedure, the surgeon may leave the amputation wound open if infection is present or too much skin has had to be removed.  In a ray amputation procedure, the wound is usually left open, and with appropriate healthcare, the wound can heal well over a period of 1-3 months, resulting in a fully functioning leg and foot.  It is possible to walk normally after toe amputation surgery.

Toe Amputation: Healthcare

Healthcare professionals will treat and advise the patient on medical, therapeutic and psychological problems, post-surgery.  After toe amputation the patient needs a period of recovery and time to deal with the loss.  Phantom limb feelings will persist for a few weeks, and stitches are removed after two weeks.  It may take six months for the wound to heal completely.  Normal activities can be resumed within three months.