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Toe - Maybe amputation would be the kindest cut lol

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So here's the problem. I have a large bunion on my right big toe for several decades. That bunion never seems to get larger and isn't painful. Nowadays I use a medical strap to pull that big toe away from the second toe - because that second toe is where the problem is!

(In the photo, I'm pulling my big toe down so you can see the second toe problem)

Despite wearing wide and soft shoes, my big toe has been pushing against the second toe for so many years that the second toe is now distorted into a painful hammer toe. Recently, walking has become painful on the middle joint of that toe. The other toes aren't affected.

What to do? There is no pain when I walk without shoes. I just bought some larger training shoes but the pain is still there when I walk. I think wearing open-toed sandals will help, but is there any physio/treatment for that painful toe?

I did see some reports about completely amputating the second toe in a relatively minor LA operation. Food for thought?

IMG_20260216_160544.jpg

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I am well known as the world's expert on toe amputations, so this is definitely the right place to ask. The answer is, I don't know and nor will anyone else that isn't: 1. a doctor, and 2. has actually examined you. Sorry about that.

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2 hours ago, cooked said:

I am well known as the world's expert on toe amputations, so this is definitely the right place to ask. The answer is, I don't know and nor will anyone else that isn't: 1. a doctor, and 2. has actually examined you. Sorry about that.

After walking around today with great pain, I might just dispense with the doc and buy an axe....

18 hours ago, simon43 said:

What to do? There is no pain when I walk without shoes. I just bought some larger training shoes but the pain is still there when I walk. I think wearing open-toed sandals will help, but is there any physio/treatment for that painful toe?

How about this

https://shopee.co.th/product/3432655/25464652732

Untitled.jpg

Have your toe amputated. The result will be utter and total regret but being that it ISN'T causing severe and total deliberating pain why not. I've had a bunion for decades with the odd painful flareup but never, let me repeat never, has amputating the second toe on my left foot crossed my mind. I've even had a very painful flareup of my bunion in conjunction with severe plantar fasciitis. Now that is what I'd describe as excruciating pain, yet oddly enough amputation of the second toe never sprang to mind.

  • Author
On 2/18/2026 at 5:40 AM, dinsdale said:

Have your toe amputated. The reason whyhe result will be utter and total regret but being that it ISN'T causing severe and total deliberating pain why not. I've had a bunion for decades with the odd painful flareup but never, let me repeat never, has amputating the second toe on my left foot crossed my mind. I've even had a very painful flareup of my bunion in conjunction with severe plantar fasciitis. Now that is what I'd describe as excruciating pain, yet oddly enough amputation of the second toe never sprang to mind.

The reason why I mentioned this was because I read about it on a medical forum, which said that it's not a crazy idea as it sounds for those who have severe paid from this problem. Complete with before and after photos - the doctore reported that walking probably is not usually affected when a minor toe is removed in a simple local anaesthetic operation.

Right now, it's not an option that I'm considering! I found a good pair of open sandals which do not press on the second toe middle joint and that helps a lot to reduce the pain :)

Yes. Get rid of that second toe to save your big toe and move on with life.

You don't really need that second one but loss of the big toe will affect how you walk, run, balance, even your ability to turn right & left. You need that biggie to maintain cosmetic appeal as well.

But rather than an axe, I'd suggest chisel.

.

AFAIK surgery is the usual treatment for bunions, when prosthetics no longer work.

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

AFAIK surgery is the usual treatment for bunions, when prosthetics no longer work.

It is and that is what he needs. The bunion will keep getting worse without it.

For the hammer toe , once bunion is corrected it can usually be managed with curling exercises, taping/splinting, sometimes a cortisone shot.

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Because I'm not teaching in-class anymore, I can wear the splint for many hours, and it is slowly straightening the big toe (will take many months). Of course, the bunion is unaffected by this treatment, but that bunion never gets bigger and never hurts, and now wearing open sandals means that I can also get out and about and keep the big toe from pushing on my second toe, (which has stopped hurting since I took to wearing the sandals or no shoes at all).

34 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Because I'm not teaching in-class anymore, I can wear the splint for many hours, and it is slowly straightening the big toe (will take many months). Of course, the bunion is unaffected by this treatment, but that bunion never gets bigger and never hurts, and now wearing open sandals means that I can also get out and about and keep the big toe from pushing on my second toe, (which has stopped hurting since I took to wearing the sandals or no shoes at all).

Use you antennae to contact an alien civilisation for a cure.

Or go and see a foot doctor.

Are you still in the UK?

With the council subsided cheap rent, free medical and full pension as you posted previously?

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18 hours ago, emptypockets said:

Use you antennae to contact an alien civilisation for a cure.

Or go and see a foot doctor.

Are you still in the UK?

With the council subsided cheap rent, free medical and full pension as you posted previously?

I'm not in the UK! I put up with 7 weeks of expensive rental costs, expensive council rates, expensive utility bills and expensive food and drink..... I had no subsidised rent because I still have an online income. Free NHS of course, but I didn't need to use that. I used my free bus pass once.....

But there was also the reverse-culture shock, after 23 years living in south-east Asia. The UK has changed hugely in that time, most TV programmes seemed to favour minorities (gays, blacks and Muslims), rather than the majority UK population. It wasn't correct and I got the impression that the indigenous population was effectively being 'controlled' and misled.

I returned to south-east Asia. Realistic rental fees (10% of what I paid in the UK), realistic monthly expenses, the kind of environment that I was used to and understood.

My foot isn't hurting now - the open sandals have helped a lot :)

8 minutes ago, simon43 said:

I returned to south-east Asia. Realistic rental fees (10% of what I paid in the UK),

You bounce around like a ping pong ball all over the place.

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44 minutes ago, johng said:

You bounce around like a ping pong ball all over the place.

Yes I do :) And on my death bed I can look back at all the wonderful experiences and memories that I've had! Better than living in your mum's basement in Luton all your life...

There are specialists in the area of podiatry and orthotics who should be able to help with tailor made innersoles or other supports. Start by seeing a general practitioner, who should know where and how to access the above services. Removing your toe will affect your balance for the rest of your life, so don’t do that.

On 2/27/2026 at 5:01 PM, simon43 said:

Yes I do :) And on my death bed I can look back at all the wonderful experiences and memories that I've had! Better than living in your mum's basement in Luton all your life...

Didn’t know you went back. I thought you were still in Laos or Myanmar ? I knew you from north Phuket , Bang Tao ?, many years ago. I lived in Kata during winter, snowbird.

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