Swollen big toe

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hi ,

Desperately need expert advice/suggestion for anyone gone through similar situation.

My little kids were playing on the carpet and somehow got hold of toothpick, Accidentally tooth pick entered my right foot toe. Toe and around area was swollen. Thia happened on Sunday, went to walk clinic, Doc gave me antibiotics and said if it doesnt get better in 3 days, go to ER, went to ER after 3 days and Doc ordered Ultrasound and US showed (2mm*3mm) foreign object, however Doc said, he cant remove and asked me to continue antibiotics, Even after 7 days it didnt get better, I saw my family doc and she said to go to ER immediately, Doc in ER put me on IV antibiotics for 5 days and randomly tried incision on my foot to remove foreign object, didnt succeed , kept getting fever and there was absolutely no improvement even after 5 days of antibiotic, went to ER again after 5 days, Doc decided to perform surgery to wash out infection, I was on IV antibiotics for 5 days and oral antibiotics for almost a month after surgery.

Even after 45 days, My big toe is still swollen, surgery wound is getting healed but not completely healed, I met ER doc(Orthopedic surgeon) again and informed about no improvement in big toe, he says body should automatically heal this and if any foreign object present it would automatically come out.

I am not convinced with this approach, big toe is still swollen and pain, unable to walk and drive, only improvement is I dont have fever .

Please advice what shall I do in this situation.

Thanks for help.

Mahen

(Ontario, Canada)

1 like, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Posted

    You have had more than one procedure on the toe so it will remain swollen for some time. I had two foot surgeries two months apart, it took months for the foot to stop swelling up.  You have said your foot is still healing. so your body will try to protect the area until it is fully healed. As long as the toe is not red and hot, you may have to let nature take its course. Have you tried putting Manuka honey over the wound area? it is a great natural healer. 
    • Posted

      Thanks for sharing your experience.

      Ortho Surgeon has left few opens after surgery and that is turned into wound and its taking time to heal.

      Toe isnt red but swollen and its painful.

      As that foreign object(wood) didnt get removed during surgery , I am not sure whether the swelling and pain is due to any infection or left over piece. I guess not as that would result in fever which I dont have. Any comment on this?

      No, I havent applied Manuka Honey over swollen area.

      We tried applying tea tree oil over it for couple days but stopped after seeing no improvement

      Thanks for help

    • Posted

      Wound (Caused by surgery) is at different place than big toe(swollen area).

      We are applying inadine dressing over wound area.

      Thanks

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.