Edema after surgery
 

How serious is this? Feet swelled really big, also caused ingrown toenail and I have diabetes. I know Internet is a bad place for medical advice, but my GP is out of town and my neuro usually checks her mail at night (though I could call her office in the morning).

Is this a go to ER thing, or a use compression stockings and get toenail removed at earliest convenience kind of thing?

Thanks.

How big is big? If it is severe, I think you should get it checked out. That is not something to mess around with.

Since you are diabetic, I think you know the answer. Foot health is absolutely top priority. Of course the cause of the edema is also something that needs to be determined, especially since you are newly post surgical.

I know it's a pain to go get seen, but in this case, do it!

Good luck.

I got my feet checked out yesterday morning. They are taking one toenail off this morning and another off in two weeks. Then my neuro told me to get the edema checked out even though the compression stockings made it go down. The NP filled out the form for the test, said she thinks I'm ok, but wanted a it as a precaution. She put edema and embolism on the order, but didn't put the word "stat." The scheduler said they could see me next week or I could go to the ER. I told them I could be dead by next week if I have a DVT, but she said she'd like to help me, but their policy is not to see anyone that quickly that doesn't have stat on the form. I have to go back this morning and have the form updated.

Jeff,

This probably will not mean anything to your situation, but I just wanted to let you know what happened to me after I returned home. I am not diabetic but I did have feet and ankle swelling along with the toes on my left foot only that were curled back for several months. You couldn't even straighten my toes with your fingers and my socks would leave impressions on my legs. I don't remember exactly how long this went on, at least six plus months. Then suddenly I noticed that the swelling was going down and my toes were relaxing (probably the result of getting my meds straightened out).

My neuro didn't seem too concerned about it at my three month checkups. Only said I might want to put my feet up on something while I sat but the only problem with that was it would made my lower back hurt. That's another reason why he is no longer my neuro.

I don't know what caused this reaction as I not only had a thymetomy, severe reaction to Mestinon, a feeding tube inserted during which they pierced my upper transverse colon and I had emergency colon repair surgery. It took 2 1/2 to finally get out of hospital/physical rehab.:eek:

Just FYI. I hope you find some relief soon.

Becky

Just an update--I woke up yesterday and my whole toe hurt. My GP was worried about an embolism and wanted the test done and called to make the arrangements and wanted it done before anyone touched my toe. My neuro thought the infection had spread into my toe and wanted the nail removed stat and didn't seem concerned about an embolism. I went to the hospital for the test, but they said that unless my GP got connected with the right department they wouldn't be able to see me "stat" without an ER visit (they're really patient friendly). As my foot appointment was getting close, I called the podiatrist and he said to come in and he'd look and make a decision.

He said that the infection looked superficial, but didn't think I had a clot and went ahead and took the nail off. Said not to get the clot test, as it would be a waste of time and money. I think he was right about no clot (as I'm still alive), but wrong about the infection not spreading into the joint as the antibiotics seems to be helping the toe pain. I agree that the infection looked superficial, but it felt like a fracture only the x-ray he took was clear and today its slightly better.

Anyway, I had to pick up some books from work, but otherwise will try to stay off my toe as much as possible today--I'll just walk enough to keep the swelling down. I'll do another update later, but I think the antibiotics are helping.

Just as an aside, my GP uses the hospital practice for their sleep studies. I felt like telling them to send me elsewhere after the whole "stat" test experience, but figured if their good doctors I might as well use them.

You haven't posted lately about your foot and leg swelling and the removal of your toenail. Did this solve the problem?

Hope you are doing much better.

Becky
Southern Bell