Discharge Instructions for Toe Amputation

You had Toe Amputation surgery.  During surgery, the tissue in your toe that was diseased or damaged was removed. Your surgery team only removed the amount necessary.  The goal for toe amputation is to save enough of your foot to allow you to walk. As you recover, follow the instructions below.

Activity

• Do not drive or return to work until your health care provider tells you it is safe.

• Do not put any weight on the surgical area.

• Wear your heel bearing weight shoe at all times when you are up and moving around. Putting pressure on the front of the foot can cause damage to the tissues.

• Do not lift anything 10 pounds or more until your health care provider tells you it is safe.

• Rest as often as you need to. Slowly add more activity each day.

• Elevate your foot while resting. This will decrease the swelling.

Home Care

• Keep your bandage clean and dry.

• Do not take a tub bath, swim, get in a hot tub or submerge your foot in any water until the area has healed.

• Do not put creams, ointments, lotions or any other solutions (betadine, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, home remedies) on the area.

• Follow your health care providers instructions to change or bandage and care for your wound.

• Always wash your hands before touching your incision and changing your bandage.

• Take medication as directed.  You can resume all medications you were taking before your surgery unless your health care provider tells you something different.

• Do not drink alcohol or operate machinery when taking pain medication.

Follow-up 

• Keep all follow-up appointments.

• If a follow-up appointment was not scheduled, call the health care providers office to make a return appointment.

• If you have staples, then your doctor will determine when it is appropriate to take them out once healing is complete.

When to seek medical attention

Call 911 right away if have any of the following:

• Shortness of breath

• Bleeding that does not stop

• Skin around the amputation turns blue or white or if it feels cold, numb or tingly

 Call your health care provider right away if:

• You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or greater or chills.

• You have drainage from the amputation that is increasing.

• You have blood, pus or a new odor at your incision site.

• You have nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up) after you leave the hospital.

• Your skin is itchy, swollen or has a rash.

• Redness around the incision begins to spread to your foot and is tender.

• Stitches or staples are coming apart.

• If your pain or tenderness gets worse.

• You have any questions or concerns about your surgery, condition, medicine, or care.