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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

persistent numbness, paresthesia, tightness, swelling and skin color changes post foot surgery

Dec. 17 I had plantar plate repair and bunionectomy surgery. Had an ankle block anesthesia. During procedure a fire alarm went off at outpatient surgery center, and I woke up in parking lot. Surgeon said he had to do emergency closure of 2nd toe and I had to be resedated to finish surgery. My healing since has not been normal. Had short bout of cellulitis. Foot has remained feeling partially anesthetized from ball of foot to tips of toes....lots of swelling, skin color changes (will turn splotchy purple if down too long, esp. in shower), very stiff big toe and 2nd metatarsal. Feels like I am walking on rocks when weight bearing and whole forefoot feels as if its full of chicken wire. Big toe and metatarsal are still floating off the ground. 2nd MRI showed some retearing of plantar plate so am being very careful with walking only in wide running shoes or ortho shoe. Am doing big toe ROM exercises at home. I wear a little eyebrow shaped pad under 2nd and 3rd toe. I am very frustrated as I am an avid athlete - distance runner and tennis player - and this has tried not only my patience but has made it difficult to do much of anything. I have most symptoms of CRPS but no real pain. Doctor keeps reassuring me that I'll get back to pre-surgery activities within a year, but am just wondering what else, if anything, I should

be doing. Any thoughts would be tremendously helpful. I am a 48 y-o white female. H/O Hashimoto's hypothyroidism.

Hi,
Lets start off with the CRPS. If you think that might be a possibility you need to immediately see a pain management doctor or a neurologist who deals with CRPS. The problem with this condition is that it is usually under diagnosed and if you do have it, it can be a very crippling disorder.
Assuming you go to have it checked out and you are re-assured you do not have it, then I would suggest you talk to your surgeon about physical therapy. Physical therapy is a great way to move the healing process forward but it cannot really be done at home and must be done on a regular consistent basis.
I am wondering if during the fire drill if they had been using a tourniquet, if the tourniquet was deflated. My thought would be yes, but if it was not that might partially explain way you are still having problems. At over three months post surgery, although you may not be back to brand new, you should at least be far enough along with your recovery that you can see noticeable improvement.
Have the CRPS ruled out by an expert, then speak to you surgeon about ways to move your progress forward.

Marc Mitnick DPM

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Comments for persistent numbness, paresthesia, tightness, swelling and skin color changes post foot surgery

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Apr 01, 2011
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Thank you
by: Anonymous

Thank you for taking the time to offer recommendations. I will follow-up and ask about PT.

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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center

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Unknown location

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Poland

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South Carolina

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location unknown

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location unknown

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anonymous

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

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Seattle, WA

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location unknown

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New Jersey

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location unknown

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Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

Rivi,

Albany, NY

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Jill S.

location unknown

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Jackie

Whichita, KS

thanks again, this site is very helpful.

mark

Boston, MA

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....Keep up what your doing. Your a life saver.

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Colorado

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annielou

Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown

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Canada

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location unknown

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Wisconsin

Thank you for your response. You have provided some great insight (to my question)....

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location unknown

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North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

Thanks again doc for having this website and we STILL need qualified Podiatrists in beautiful sunny Tampa Bay (Bradenton) Florida.

Bessie Mae

Florida

Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

location unknown

Your webpage is excellent, I commend you on sharing your knowledge to the public.

Robert

New Jersey

Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown

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Lenoir, NC

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Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

persistent numbness, paresthesia, tightness, swelling and skin color changes post foot surgery

Comments for persistent numbness, paresthesia, tightness, swelling and skin color changes post foot surgery

conditions

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