help with foot amputation

[cupcakes888]

Almost two years ago I had mrsa and was left in that condition for 4 months.Finally because of the infection I lost my big toe and half my metatarsal bone behind it.This leaves me with a problem keeping my shoes on because of the shrinkage even though I have an insert in my shoe that was made by a prosthetic office.My question is;can my metatarsal bone be rebuilt?I can always stuff something in the toe of my shoe to take up the big toe space but the missing metatarsal bone is very crippling.Can this bone be rebuilt using some of my bone from somewhere in my body and if it can where do they do this surgery?

[Archibald S Miller III, MD,FACS]

The answer is that the foot bears an enormous amount of weight. There is no tissue that reproduces the way that  one can walk on the foot without the skin dying. That combined with the fact that coral can be used in non weight bearing areas allowing for some ingrowth of real bone, it is vitually impossible at this time to reproduce what nature, or God has built. The arm transplant, remember replaced real, living, tissue onto the farmer, not a prosthesis or manmade structure, not things manufactured by man.We have a long way to go before we can simulate nature consistently. I agree with you about the prosthesis. I am not sure that a 3 hour job is all you need. Plus, the prosthesis should be made to fit your shoes.

                                            arch s millerms md facs

[Archibald S Miller III, MD,FACS]

It is virtually impossible to reproduce the weight bearing capacity of the metatarsal, and equally impossible to make the type of skin that covers it. I am certain that a very good prosthetist could make you an insert that would alleviate most of your problems. Just contact the local med supplies store and ask them what good prosthetists are available, then get your doctor to write a prscription for the consult and a prosthesis, and it should be covered by insurance. Respectfully,

                     arch s miller ms md facs

[cupcakes888]

I thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question,it was very much appreciated.The only problem is I already have an insert for my shoe that was made by a prosthetic office.It does not meet my needs and is almost worthless because my shoes still fall off and I can`t wear the shoes I want.Actually I can only wear a couple of shoes because this insert is so big it won`t fit in my other shoes.It took them three hours to make this insert.Nothing compares to your foot.I don`t understand why a bone can`t be shaped out of coral or something and put in my foot after the skin is expanded with skin expanders.As I stated I can stuff the toe area but the missing metatarsal bone is crippling.This is 2008 and I don`t know why somebody cannot reshape the metatarsal bone to give me something to fill my shoe with,it does not have to be perfect.If they can transplant two arms onto a farmer in Germany who lost his it seems odd they can`t rebuild a metatarsal bone in people like me.Thank you so much for giving me your opinion.cupcakes 888.