Plastic Surgery

[bainbrig]

Anyone any experiences of plastic surgery for non-cosmetic procedures?

I have a small but painful ulcer on the bottom of my stump (amputated leg) which is taking months to heal, due I’m sure to its position, and I was wondering whether plastic surgery might help solve the problem.

Any thoughts?

BillB

[Sqad]

I would presume that the ulcer on your amputated stump which is taking a long time to heal is due to the fact that the blood supply to that leg is compromised and any "Plastic Surgery" to that stump will need a skin graft, which will be equally compromised.
Not a good idea.
Your amputation was due I presume tro Type 2 diabetes or perhaps an accident.

[Cloverjo]

Sorry, I have no experience of this. I’m sure your doctors and nurses are looking after it. Hope so, anyway.
I would guess that further surgery on the stump to cut the ulcer off would be what they’d do, if anything, rather than reshaping or remoulding or anything ‘plastic’.

[calmck]

I am assuming you have been referred to an ulcer specialist nurse. We used to use honey or in hospital insulin then dry with oxygen. Agree that skin graft, if that is what you are thinking needs good supply.

[bainbrig]

Yes and no, sqad.

Amputation was due to alcoholism/neuropathy/undiagnosed broken ankle... which I walked on for six months and *** the bones!

Thus, blood supply is (curiously) good. For example, I had a pressure sore on my real foot which developed into an ulcer, but which healed up in 8 weeks. When (rarely) I get a scratch on my stump, it bleeds, then heals.

I certainly have some classic diabetes II markers, but I’m lucky in that respect.

———

Cloverjo. Ah, there’s the problem. The chief prosthetic consultant at a flagship NHS orthopaedic hospital suggested steristrips to hold the ulcer together.... needless to say, the system lasted about 30 seconds. His further advice was ‘use a stick’.

My GP says ‘Ask your prosthetic consultant.” There’s a hole in my bucket, dear Liza.

The most useful advice has come from our local ‘Tissue Clinic’ nurses.

BillB

[anneasquith]

BB, has anyone taken a swab of the ulcer to eliminate infection ?

[bainbrig]

Hello anne.

Yes, not infected. The main reason it's taking months to heal is where it is - right on the 'point' of my stump, i.e. when I walk, half of my 20 stone presses right onto the ulcer, sandwiching it betwixt bone and hard socket... It IS getting better, i.e. it is closing over, but so so slowly, and even though it is now only 3mm across (it was 10+) it hurts!

If I had the necessary to stay in my bed for a month, it might cure completely, but that would drive me even madder.

BB

[Peter Pedant]

um I am not sure any of us can help

an uninfected ulcer should heal ( there is a sort of law about this) and if it doesnt then it is infected or the blood supply is compromised or some other reason

Both you and the consultant know if the stump is good or not, or whether the bone is poking thro the skin ( =needs stump revision ) or whether the bone is adequately padded away from the skin (does not need a stump revision)

If it is arteriopathic or neuropathic - then cosmetic surgery is NOT the answer

sorry BB another long bollshotty answer, but you know what do you expect from me?

[Peter Pedant]

oh oops painful
arteriopathic
keep away from plastic surgery

[anneasquith]

BB. A slow process no doubt, but being uninflected continue to seek advice from tissue clinic nurse .

[ummmm]

Sorry Bill, I didn't know that.

How much pain are you in? Some people take longer to heal than others. My OH often hurts himself at work and starts healing in days whereas I take weeks.

But if you're in pain go back to the nurses. Pain is depressing. xx

[bainbrig]

Thanks (I’m sure) PP...

Pain? Only a little, seated. A lot, walking! I know the answer from that of course, but it’s very hard to sit and watch Mrs B doing everything, when in normal times we do half the work each.

BillB

[ummmm]

In sickness and in health. It's not like you're being lazy.