Question
My patient is 85 and has a hx of osteomyelitis, osteoarthritis, DMT2, septicemia...The toes on her L foot have no bones in them, yet they have nails. There are no amputations or surgical scars in the area.

I can bend them with ease & it does not cause her pain. Neither of us can figure out what happened to the bones, or when they disappeared. Her records are sketchy as best.
Thank you.

Answer
Hi Beth,

There are several likely possibilities that can result in this problem. With certain types of arthritis there can complete destruction and resorption of bone.  This also can occur as a result of osteomyelitis and many diabetics get extensive bone destruction as a result of the disease.  So it may be a combination of these problems.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
http://www.thetampapodiatrist.com
http://www.tampacryosurgery.com
http://katzpodiatristtampa.blogspot.com
http://painfoot.blogspot.com
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http://www.notoenailfungus.com

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