Toe amputation in the diabetic patient.

BACKGROUND

We considered whether it is more practical to amputate the toe of a diabetic patient with osteomyelitis and good circulation or to treat the patient with antibiotics for a prolonged period.

METHODS

We undertook a retrospective study of 141 diabetic patients who had undergone a toe-ray amputation for proven or documented osteomyelitis.

RESULTS

The mean ankle/brachial index of all patients was 0.81 (range, 0.68 to 1.14); the mean functional days lost on antibiotic therapy was 39 (range, 7 to 84 days). The cost of 6 to 8 weeks of preoperative antibiotic therapy was $900 to $2240 (mean, $1440).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetic patients with good circulation and osteomyelitis of the toe may benefit from prompt toe amputation.