Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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/ Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

Wound Healing

deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi everyone. I am a newbie here but I really wasn't sure where else to turn. I have a problem and I am hoping to get some advice here.
Briefly, I was diagnosed with MS in 3/04. On March 21 of this year, I had what was supposed to be minor surgery on my great toe. It has turned into a disaster...infection, wound is now open, painful, etc etc. I was told it would 6-8 weeks
and I would be back at the gym. Then last Thursday I was told that they now have to remove the entire toenail. Now that I have bored you, I have been wondering if MS slows down or complicates the healing of surgical wounds? Has anyone else ever had a problem like this? This has become serious and I am really worried.
I would appreciate any help that I can get.
Thanks so much for listening.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I would find a wound care center & go there.
deleted_user
deleted_user
MS can complicate the healing of any wound, not just surgical ones. This can happen for a number of reasons.

When you have a loss of sensation in your feet or legs (or anywhere, actually), you may not feel the "pain" of an injury per se until it is deep or infected.

Pressure sores can happen if you're less active, or if you have difficulty moving in ways that don't have you brushing or rubbing your skin across the surface you're moving on, and they're very difficult to heal.

Since MS impacts the entire nervous system, blood flow to the affected area can be compromised, slowing healing. Also, with MS being an auto-immune disease, anything that induces an immune response (a cut, infection, etc.) can make your baseline MS symptoms worse.

I hope you're able to get the wound care you need. A wound care center would be ideal, but hospital based or home health programs work too. Good luck.

-Karen
deleted_user
deleted_user
Thank you both so much. I will have to find out if there is a wound care center nearby. I appreciate you both replying.
deleted_user
deleted_user
If you have to get the toenail removed, make sure you get a good podiatrist. I had a bad reaction and infection because my podiatrist left the 'phenol alcohol' (used to kill the nail root, so the nail doesn't grow back) on too long. Make sure you follow the after removal wound care instructions!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi haikums and thanks. I am not seeing the podiatrist that did the surgery as I feel that he may be the reason for all these complications. I am seeing his partner whom my husband and I both really like a lot. I have had the same toenail removed once before due to it becoming ingrown but it grew back fine. We want the nail to grow back again. As for the phenyl alcohol, I don't think he will be using any of that on my nail due to the fact that 1. we want the nail to grow back and 2. just the thought of putting anything with the word alcohol near the open wound sends shivers down my spine as I can only imagine the burning that would cause. No way!!! The part I am dreading is the injections to numb the toe. It hurt like heck the last time and I imagine it will be 100 times worse given the situation.
Again, many thanks to you and everyone else for their care and concern.
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