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Problems after ingrown toenail surgery

Discussion in 'Ask your questions here' started by Unregistered, Oct 23, 2008.

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  1. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest


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    I had ingrown toenails on both of my big toes. I went to the podiatrist and he cut out the edges that were ingrown. Three weeks later, I am in more pain than I was prior to the surgery and both of my toes are turning a dark color, like they are bruised. Is this normal?

    soldiergirl1964@yahoo.com
     
  2. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    DISCLAIMER:
    THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
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    You don't specifically say what type of toenail surgery you had, but if your toes are turning dark, you need to have them evaluated IMMEDIATELY, even at a hospital ER if necessary, to determine whether you have a serious vascular insufficiency problem or something more benign, such as bruising. Do NOT delay! Do it NOW!
     
  3. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    How would the average patient know what TYPE of surgery s/he had, FOOTROT? This patient clearly states that the podiatrist '...cut out the edges that were ingrown.' What else would you expect her to say (if this a genuine query in the first place and not a post by you)..."I had a bilateral partial matrix sterilisation surgical operation on both halluces"?
     
  4. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    It is quite unfortunate that those who come here for actual information sometimes have to be subjected to this sort of idiotic and ignorant tirade as represent by the above reply. But it should be noted that it is the responsibility of any patient undergoing a surgical procedure to make certain that he/she personally understands the actual nature of the surgery, and it is the responsibility of the doctor performing the surgery to make certain that such is the case. Furthermore, one can certainly not in good faith sign a consent form without such knowledge, and any consent from signed in its absence is null and void anyhow.

    But the exact type of surgery is not even the issue here. My response to the original question was inequivocable in that, if the toe is turning dark it needs to be seen for evaluation IMMEDIATELY.
     
  5. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    ....but according to your post it is an issue otherwise how YOU give your on-line medical advice - it was you who asked for this information...
    So, try as hard as you can to (1) climb down from the clouds if that is at all possible, and (2) not contradict yourself !!
     
  6. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    It is clear that the poster is attempting to make an inane argument, perhaps as a result of a lack or reading comprehension, but more likely just for the sake of being obnoxious and untoward. But giving him/her the benefit of the doubt, and assuming the former, it is clear that the first part of my reply to the original poster where I offered the rhetorical caveat, "You don't specifically say what type of toenail surgery you had. but . . ." was NOT asking for a clarification of such, and had no bearing on either the thrust or the validity of my response, which, once again was that if a toe turns dark, it should be professionally evaluated immediately.

    This will conclude my patience and indulgence with this poster's comments. I would recommend that, depending on the actual motives behind those comments, the poster either work on his/her reading comprehension or find some other venue to vent his/her frustrations, flowing possibly out of poor self-esteem.
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2008
  7. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    After you rush to the ER, let us know what the diagnosis was and how much the bill was.
     
  8. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    I would then have to assume that you believe that every colonoscopy which didn't reveal cancer, every biopsy which didn't find a malignancy, every glaucoma test that didn't reveal glaucoma, every glucose tolerance test that didn't uncover diabetes, and every fire, house and auto insurance payment when neither a fire, a house loss nor auto accident eventuated, were equally ill-advised wastes of money. If YOU want to take the chance that YOUR darkened toe after surgery is of no consequence, then be my guest. But when a questioner asks a professional for general advice in the matter, the ONLY appropriate answer is the one I gave. Rest assured that if YOU had called your OWN doctor with the same scenario, and he/she didn't not recommended what I had, and your toe or more was subsequently lost, you would now be searching the lawyer forums instead of the foot forums.

    Case closed!
     
  9. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hey administrator - when are U going 2 block FOOTROT's IP ??? - rather hypocritical aren't you blocking others!!!!
     
  10. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    the person asked the question at 4:27 pm so it would be interesting to know whether they went to the er and if so how much it cost or did they wait until next day. if you watch the news, due to economic situation people aren't taking medicine or going to drs. i guess a dr couldn't understand the tough decisions people have to make whether they lose their home or go to dr.
     
  11. Rita

    Rita Guest

    I had my toenail removed 3 weeks ago due to ingrown toenails, and I am having more problems now than I had before the nail was removed. I have been on anti-biotics for nearly 3 weeks and now my GP has had to prescribe some really strong anti-biotics with some awful side effects. The reason for this is because he informed me that I now have an anaerobic bug. He said that if this is not treated it can lead to gangrene. I am terrified, could I have your comments please?
     
  12. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    DISCLAIMER:
    THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS-ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
    ***********************************************************
    What sort of comment are you looking for? The occurrence of an occasional infection is part and parcel of doing and having surgery. Assuming that appropriate sterile technique was employed, the type of infection is not controlled by either the patient or the doctor. From what you said, I suspect it is Clostridium . . not a statistically likely pathogen in this situation, but it can happen. Was the nail procedure performed by a GP, and if so . . why? If it was performed by another specialist, why is the GP treating the infection? The good thing is that it has been recognized and you are, ostensibly, under proper care.
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2009
  13. Rita

    Rita Guest

    I think I have come onto an American forum. I was treated under the NHS in England by a podiatrist but have no faith in her anymore. That is why I went to see my GP, who has put me on what seems like copius amounts of anti-biotics. However, after 4 of the 7 day prescription, there is no improvement. I think I may have caught the bug from the surgery site, is this possible?
     
  14. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    If by "the bug" you mean the flu or a stomach virus or something that that . . NO
     
  15. jendazzler

    jendazzler New Member

    I would ask your doctor if this is normal. In the meantime, avoid shoes that are too tight. This applies pressure to the nail. Shoes should fit comfortably.
     
  16. MML

    MML New Member

    I had ingrown toenail surgery on both sides of my left big toe last year and it was very painful afterwards. I had to take regular strength hydrocodone for the pain for the first couple of days after the surgery. I had actually thought about getting the right big toe done as a preventative. Well, after having that 1st ingrown toenail removal, I've changed my mind. Two of my daughters have had it done as well and they were in bad pain for the first couple of days, too.

    Anyway, my question is this - after my surgery, my toenail had to grow back, but I also had this little extra nail that I call a "horn" growing out the side of the toe where I thought the chemical application would have killed that. I don't know what it is. I do have an appointment this Tuesday to get it looked at, but I was just wondering ahead of time what it might be. This horn started growing back separately from the regular nail.

    Thanks in advance for your help.
     
  17. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    DISCLAIMER:
    THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
    ************************************************** *********
    It is not uncommon for the chemical to fail to completely kill a portion of the nail matrix which had been intended for destruction, and it sounds like that's what happens here. The spicule sometimes causes another ingrown nail problem and sometimes creates just a nuisance. In either event, it can either be palliatively trimmed or you can opt for a revisionary surgery to be performed.
     
  18. MML

    MML New Member


    Oh, ok. Thank you for your reply. My appt. is Tuesday @ 2:15. I will report the diagnosis so at least you'll know what happened, if interested. If it's what you said, I will have it permanently removed so that I won't have to worry about it anymore. The ingrown part on both sides have pretty much been alleviated with the exception of this annoying little "horn" growing! haha. It just catches on everything and has been very hard to trim/cut, so I'd rather just have it gone. I'm not particularly looking forward to being cut on again, but whatever. Thanks again for your quick reply. : )
     
  19. MML

    MML New Member



    I did end up having the "growth" removed as it was the ingrown toenail growing back. It was supposed to have been destroyed by the chemical that was put on it last year when I had it cut out in Aug. 2008. So, I had to get about 5 numbing shots and have the darn thing cut out a 2nd time. My podiatrist said that I was in the 2-3% of patients where this happens. Of course! If something bad is going to happen, it's going to happen to me! I've learned to live with that. Anyway, the toe is fine. It's a little sore, but I'm able to wear closed-toe shoes again and all is well. I just have to continue to soak it in warm water with epsom salt 2 x's/day and wear a bandaid & neosporin. Thanks, Foot Doc, for your timely response and answers. : )
     
  20. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    You're welcome, but I can assure you that the failure rate of a chemical partial matrix destruction is far greater than 2 to 3% no matter who does it. Good luck.
     
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