had toenail removed

[mkh9]

I had a fungal nail that was treated with oral Lamisil. I saw a podiatrist in August and he cut off as much of the nail as he could but didn't recommend surgery at the time. Months later the nail underneath grew and pushed up the dead top nail. Both grew crooked so yesterday I went back to the podiatrist and he said the nail had to come off. He didn't give me any anesthetic and chopped off all the nail (both). It was a very painful procedure. Also, he couldn't give me a topical anitibiotic as I am allergic to all of them. He also didn't give me an oral antibiotic. He wrapped really tight and said to take the wrapping off the next day (today). I am taking Ibupropin and tylenol around the clock and and am able so far to deal with it. He said to wash with soap and water.
1. how shall I do this? Just gently rub some soap and rinse? Then he said to apply a bandaid and that it was ok to take a shower. Any suggestions?
2. I have a back injury and need to get walking as soon as I can tolerate it. I was finally making progress. Any idea when the pain will be down enough to walk a hour or half hour? He said walking wouldn't hurt it.
3. I don't want to get it infected. But if I put a bandaid and  wear a sock is that good enough if I want to go for a walk?
Any other suggestions.
thanks,
mkh9

[Londres70]

Sounds like everything is coming along good.  

I would expect it to look weird or ugly; over time it will look a bit better.  

I think you are on the mend.  :)


Londres   :)

[mkh9]

Hi again,
Today there is no/very little pain with the toe. Also it looks less red. But it is ugly!  The area where the nail was has a kind of whitish material with some red spots and it still oozes some serous fluid at times. It doesn't look like a scab that you get when you cut yourself so I'm sure it this is what it is supposed to look like.  But I slept well and I am almost off Ibupropin. I am tapering because it usually gives me a bad headache if I go off all at once. Tomorrow with be the 4th day after surgery. I walked about 20 minutes today and will try 40 tomorrow if it doesn't hurt. I hope it heals fast!
thanks,
mkh9

[Londres70]

Anytime I can help; you're welcome.    

The Ibuprofen should help the swelling a bit.  

Too bad you can elevate that foot. Even if you could sit in a recliner and elevate it that would be great.

Be careful not to rub or remove scabs developing while cleaning it.  

[mkh9]

Thanks. Yes we to soak the gauze to get it off and it was awful. Glad to hear a time line for when the swelling should go down. I haven't been doing much since Thursday except walking around the house and did a very short walk today. I stopped the Tylenol but am still taking the Ibuprofen, but I cut back on the dose and seem to be doing well. I can't elevate the foot due to low back pain. So, I'll have to let it run its course.
thanks for all your help. You have given me more help than my doctor or the nurses.
mkh9

[Londres70]

Sorry, just now saw your posts.

The drainage sounds normal; no worries.  Sounds ok/normal so far.  I hate removing gauze stuck to wounds; awful.  

Swelling should be subsided by Tuesday or Wednesday.  

Have you been doing alot of activity?  Still taking the Ibuprofen?  Used ice at all?

Elevate the foot as much as you can.  

[mkh9]

Hi again,
so last night and this morning the toe nail bed at the edges of where the nail was, has been leaking serous fluid is this normal? But it doesn't hurt much. He had to cut some tissue as it was overlapping the nail before he took it off.The toe is swollen also. It has a scab where he cut the tissue.
thanks, What am I to expect?
mkh9

[mkh9]

Hi again,
We just removed the compression gauze (Coban) wrap and it was stuck to the skin. We had to dunk it in water to get it off. A tiny bit of tissue from the where the nail was came off. It is not bleeding more superficial skin. Is this anything to worry about? Stupid doctor didn't use non stick gauze. Well, it is done so I put hibiclens on it and then dipped it quickly in water.There is no additional pain after taking off the packing. Unbelievable.
mkh9

[Londres70]

You're welcome; anytime I can help.    

Keep me posted about your progress.

[mkh9]

Yes thank you again. It is hard when you are active.
mkh9

[Londres70]

Yes, you can always call his office and clarify the shower situation or any other instructions.

This physician sounds very mediocre/so so; be careful.  

I had a situation with my great toenail.  It is annoying to have to deal with something like this when you are active.  

[mkh9]

Hi again,
I just talked to the nurse at the podiatrists office and you were right about not rubbing it (not that I didnt agree). They said use Hibiclens once a day and then rinse in a pan of water briefly then remove and take a shower with a bandaid is ok to them.  They said to wear open toed shoes for about 5 days until the tissue heals. Since I can't take antibiotic topicals I'm to wear a bandaid for a week or so, until it is not sore. So, I'm glad I asked you because it made me contact them before the weekend. Thanks so much for your advice.
mkh9

[mkh9]

Thanks for your comments. Yeah the pain was pretty high when he removed the nail. I was in a lot of pain when I got home that is why the Tylenol and Ibupropin. It seems to be taking care of the pain. I cut down from two Tylenol to one and two Ibupropin every 6 hours. I'll have to see after today if the pain is down enough to cut back. I can only take vicodin for one day as it gives me total insomnia. I am very sensitive to meds. I thought it was too soon for having the toe open in the shower due to bacteria. He said to keep it clean but wasn't very forthcoming about after care. I'll try the soapy water instead of rubbing it. I get to take the compress off today according to him he said one day. I'm not really sure what he did I think mostly removed everything but don't about under the cutile or nail bed.  My Family practise doctor recommened him. I hope to get out walking sooner than Tuesday. That is a very long time for me since I'm trying to get stronger for my back pain. This is unfortunate for me. I was just doing 1 hour a day (half hills). I hope it isn't too big of a set back and I hope that I don't get an infection. Maybe I should call them to clarify about the shower and so forth.I have to see what it looks like when I take the compress off.
bummed out.
mkh9

[Londres70]

BTW:  I wouldn't get this wet in the shower or bath until Tuesday or Wednesday.