Procedure of the operation

Before performing toe amputation, the doctor must inform the patient about the procedure and the risks of the procedure. In addition, blood must be drawn, for example to examine the patient’s blood coagulation. Anesthesia is administered before the actual procedure.

In some cases a general anaesthetic is used, in others only a local nerve block under twilight sleep conditions (sedation). For the procedure, the patient lies supine on the operating table. A longitudinal incision is made on the back of the foot along the course of the toe to be amputated, in the area of the joint between the metatarsal bone and the toe.

The incision is continued along the bone around the toe, leaving a small flap of skin on the sole of the foot. Subsequently, the metatarsophalangeal joint is exposed by cutting the joint capsule and the ligaments. Special care is taken to protect the joint cartilage of the metatarsal head.

Finally, the flexor and extensor tendon are cut and the toe can be removed. The hole can then be sutured with the help of the skin flap. A simple toe amputation usually does not require any special aftercare.

Partial weight bearing of the foot is possible soon after the operation. Full weight bearing is possible as soon as the wound has healed. The treating surgeon will determine the exact day on which partial or full weight-bearing should begin and inform the patient.

If necessary, a new presentation to the surgeon or the patient’s family doctor is necessary to check the wound or to remove the stitches. The attending physician will also inform the patient of this and write it down in the discharge letter. Orthopedic treatment, for example with special shoes or insoles, is not regularly required.

In individual cases, the doctor will also inform the patient of this. In addition, as after every surgical procedure, follow-up care includes that the patient presents himself to the doctor again in case of complaints such as pain or an inflammation of the wound. How you can speed up the wound healing and other interesting information can be found in our article about wound healing!

How long you are in the hospital because of a toe amputation depends on the one hand on the general condition and the accompanying diseases of the patient and on the other hand on the healing process. A person with minor health restrictions is usually only in hospital for a few days, provided that no complications occur.However, if a wound healing disorder or infection occurs during the stay, the length of time one has to stay in hospital can also be significantly longer. Depending on the condition and the course of the disease, discharge can only take place after several weeks. However, since a toe amputation is a comparatively minor amputation, complications are much less likely to occur than with a larger amputation.