Suggest Treatment For Tingling Sensation In The Toes After Injury

Posted on Tue, 14 Mar 2017

Question: I scraped my ankle on my bicycle crank last July. The three punctures got infected, and I was on Keflex for 10 days. I have not liked how it has healed...the scar is dark, and now one of the punctures is getting red. I feel like I have some tingling in the toes of the same foot. My physician has put me on 5 more days of Keflex. Think I need an MRI. Am concerned that a bone infection might be happening. I had Osteomyelitus in a finger as a child.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please give details and post clear and focused photos.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Female/59 - scrapped ankle July last - Keflex for 10 days then for infection - the scar is dark - not liked the way it has healed - one of the punctures is getting red - singling in in toes of same foot - put you on 5 more days of Keflex - you think you need MRI - concerned that bone is getting infected - has osteomyelitis of finger in childhood - seen the photo provided.

Please post the pictures again- clear and focused, may be from a small distance, this helps a lot for on-the-spot diagnosis.
Osteomyelitis would have gen local redness, pain, difficulty in walking, edema of skin or a sinus formation, but is possible that it takes some time to manifest.
Yes, MRI and still better is CT scan for the bone affection to be seen. X-rays are deceptive.

Please give some more information for me to assist you better:
Since when the spot has become red?
Any pain or tenderness?
Any edema?
Any difficult while walking?
Backache: can be due to local disc problems which in turn can give tingling in toes, as also in other parts of the foot, leg.
Any medical problem like diabetes?

And post fresh, focused and clear photos.
Awaiting.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (12 minutes later)

The one spot became red again approx 6 days ago. It is more sensitive than the other marks. Sometimes I have an intermittant pain in my shin. I don't experience this on my other leg. I have have felt fatigued for the last few months. Yesterday I ran a slight temperature, but now have a head cold. I'm a mess :-) I have uploaded a photo of the ankle.
thank you!

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
As detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your fresh photo and information.
6 days is a small period to say about osteomyelitis.
It is possible that the footwear friction can also cause such changes as also the dependent position of the foot/ankle adds on.
The redness can be due to hypertrophy or kelloid formation being instigated.
Fever and head-cold can be due to flu and also a cause of of redness of the scar.
The shin pain can be due to non-specific osteiitis or Vitamin D deficiency. Please get Vitamin D estimation and replacement dosages if indicated by the report.
Take anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen if it suits you.
Avoid applying soaps and scratching or over-cleaning of the scar area for a few days.
Please request of CT/ MRI of the affected area.

I hope, this answer helps you.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar