Should I have my left ring-finger amputated? Its greenish purple around the top joint - I think it's gangrene?!
Question: Should I have my left ring-finger amputated.? Its greenish purple around the top joint - I think it's gangrene.?
I cut my finger badly about six weeks ago, and whilst it initially healed, over the last three weeks it has been throbbing badly and has turned greenish purple - my thoughts are that it is gangrene. I went to the doctors about two weeks ago and he said that if it doesn't improve soon, amputating the finger at the first joint might be the best option. Do you think it is worth losing a finger.? Personally, I'm not too fussed - a finger is a finger, people have much worse injuries than what I have, so losing it wouldn't be ideal, but not the end of the world. Health Question & Answer
Answers:
In addition to the antibiotics, can try soaking it maybe 3 times a day in very hot water, hot as you can stand it, and for maybe 5-10 min at a time. There may be benefits for saving your left ring finger down the road!! Sepsis would be a concern at this point however. If you saw the doc 2 weeks ago, that is quite awhile ago to be sure. Anytime our skin is compromised, especially on our hands, there's a pretty good chance esp with the hands/fingers its going to get infected so precautions need to be taken, ie frequent washing with soap and water of the affected area. Whatever you decide to do, best wishes.Health Question & Answer
Whilst losing part of a finger is not too bad, especially if it is necessary, I would certainly get another opinion first as it could effect some things that you want to do. I hope that you are taking the right antibiotics. Be careful. Through personal experience I know that getting another opinion can be very worthwhile. Even the best doctors can make mistakes or not give you the best available treatment.Health Question & Answer
Yes please do. If it's gangrene it will affect the rest of your hand/arm if you don't amputate it. What do we use our ring fingers for anyway.?!Health Question & Answer
Just listen to your doctor`s advice. I`m sure he knows best. However, you can always get a second opinion, from another doctor. Health Question & Answer
It definitely sounds like you have gangrene or some other very severe infection. If you're not already on antibiotics your doctor needs to put you on some now! But yes I would agree with your opinion that loosing part of a finger isn't that bad when compared to losing your whole hand or arm, but you do need to get the infection taken care of or it can worsen and the bacteria in your finger can end up in your blood stream causing sepsis, a systemic (whole body) infection that if not appropriately treated can be fatal.
My best piece of advice is to get on antibiotics if you're not on them. Your finger may get better on the antibiotics, but you may still have to have your finger removed. Good luck and I hope you get better soon!Health Question & Answer
My best piece of advice is to get on antibiotics if you're not on them. Your finger may get better on the antibiotics, but you may still have to have your finger removed. Good luck and I hope you get better soon!Health Question & Answer