A diabetic may have to have his toes amputated after they ‘exploded’ when he stubbed his foot. David Croft, 41, was enjoying a holiday in his new caravan in Boston, Lincolnshire, on October 31 when he bumped his big toe on a table.
Due to lack of sensation in his feet as a result of his type 1 diabetes, Mr Croft only realised the extent of his injury the following day when he woke to discover his partner Kim Thompson, who also has diabetes, staring in horror at his ‘exploded’ toes.
After being rushed to A&E, Mr Croft, from Workshop, Nottinghamshire, has been told he may require amputation of numerous toes.
He is sharing images of his gruesome injury to raise awareness to other diabetics about the risks of simple injuries.
Mr Croft, who is thought to have diabetic foot, said: ‘I never would have imagined something like diabetes could have such a serious effect.
‘I’d heard about diabetics having to have amputations, but I didn’t think anything of it and certainly didn’t think it would happen to me.’
Mr Croft, who has type 1 diabetes, stubbed his big toe and woke the next day to find it blistered
A Facebook post describes how excited Mr Croft and his partner Kim Thompson were to holiday in their new caravan, but the fun ended early when the couple rushed to A&E
Diabetic David Croft may have to have his toes amputated after they ‘exploded’ on holiday
WHAT IS DIABETIC FOOT?
Diabetic foot occurs when ulcers develop from small cuts, putting sufferers at risk of amputation.
It affects up to one in 10 diabetes patients.
Diabetic foot is caused by high glucose levels over a prolonged period of time leading to nerve damage or loss of circulation to the body’s extremities.
This can cause feet to become numb.
Diabetics should frequently check their feet for signs of damage, including cuts, swelling, hardening skin and discolouration.
‘They will have to remove my two toes’
Mr Croft, who is unemployed, said: ‘I never would have imagined something like diabetes could have such a serious effect. It’s horrible.
‘The doctors have said it is very likely they will have to remove my two toes. They’ve told me accidents like this are quite common in people with diabetes.
‘I’d heard about diabetics having to have amputations, but I didn’t think anything of it and certainly didn’t think it would happen to me. It’s definitely not nice.’
Avid caravanners, the couple saved up to buy the vehicle and hope to have many more trips in the future, despite Mr Croft’s injury.
He said: ‘This was our first holiday in it so I hope in the long term it won’t affect our camping trips. I know if I have to have my big toe amputated it could affect my balance.’
Doctors have said it is highly likely his toes will be amputated, which may affect his balance
As well as impacting Mr Croft’s ability to walk, he worries it may also prevent camping trips
‘My big toe had exploded’
Mr Croft said: ‘On October 31, I was in the caravan and stubbed my toe on the table. I didn’t think anything of it because I have no feeling in my feet due to the diabetes.
‘I woke up on the Wednesday morning and my partner was staring at my foot. My big toe on the left foot had exploded and I had a big blister on the next toe.’
After ending their holiday early, the couple went to Bassetlaw Hospital in Worksop and were later referred to Doncaster Royal Infirmary where a specialist unit treated his injuries.
Mr Croft said: ‘I stayed there for eight days and was discharged with double-strength antibiotics. I have to go back for twice-weekly appointments for the next few weeks while doctors decide whether I need the amputations.
‘They’re waiting for all the swelling to go down before reassessing if I will need the amputation. If I do, it could affect how I walk and everything. I wish it could be sorted quicker but time will tell.
‘Luckily, I can’t feel anything so I have no pain whatsoever, but having to visit the hospital twice a week for the next few weeks is a nightmare. In three weeks, I need to go and have another vascular assessment.’
