Support Community for Amputees

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This is a support community for amputee and their families, to discuss the issues facing those with limb loss in a safe, friendly environment.

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ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org

Non-invasive minor bone end corrections? (lemmy.sdf.org)

submitted 4 months ago by ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org to c/amputee@lemmy.sdf.org

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Before I go see another doctor about this...

One of my residual phalanges has developed a small bone spur over the years, and another is too long - always has been - and hurts my skin from the inside.

I need to have the bone spur taken care of at some point, and I'd like to have the other residual phalange trimmed a quarter inch or so.

One doctor I saw about this a couple of years ago proposed full surgery, complete with general anaesthesia and more stitches than I really want, and I declined at the time because it seemed like a lot for so little.

My neighbor - who has all his limbs but is at the age when this sort of thing happens - had a bone spur on his heel taken care of, and he told me it was a simple, half-hour, local anaesthesia keyhole surgery with just one stitch and a week of easy recovery.

Does anybody know if that's also an option for small residual extremities bones and whether I should shop around to find a more competent surgeon?

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[–] neidu2@feddit.nl 4 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

I don't have an answer for you regarding alternatives, but my dad had a similar issue as an amputee - too much bone remaining started to cause discomfort with his prosthetic. He went through the full surgery. After the swelling went down afterwards he was supposed to come in to see if his prosthetic needed a refit, but he never did, as it still fit perfectly.

Also, good news regarding the bone spurs: You too can dodge serving in Vietnam.

[–] ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 4 months ago

Thanks. Actually the problematic bits on me are just phalanges. They're teeny tiny bones, so I'm hoping to avoid the full surgery like your dad. Also, my skin is quite thin and fragile there, so I'd rather the surgeon opened it up and damaged it as little as possible to get to the offending bones. Because if it goes bad, I'm going to regret it for many months.

Also, good news regarding the bone spurs: You too can dodge serving in Vietnam

Nevermind Vietnam: I could become president! 🙂