How would an infection prevent anesthetic from numbing my toe?

[sevensages]

TL;DR

I recently got a shot of anesthetic to numb my toe. The anesthetic did not fully numb my toe. My podiatrist said that an infection could prevent anesthetic from numbing my toe. How would an infection prevent anesthetic from numbing my toe?

I had an ingrown toenail removed for the fourth time last week. When my podiatrist gave me a shot of anesthetic into my toe, the anesthetic did not fully numb my toe. I still felt pain around where my toenail pierced my skin. The podiatrist removed about 10% of my toenail, and then the podiatrist put acid on the corner of my toenail bed in the place where the toenail was removed. When the podiatrist cut out about 10% of my toenail last week, it was somewhat painful. And when the podiatrist applied the acid to my toenail bed a few days ago, the acid stung.

The other three times that I had my toe numbed to remove an ingrown toenail, the shots of anesthetic fully numbed my toe 100%, and the other three surgeries I had to remove an ingrown toenail were 100% painless. There are some other differences between the other three surgeries I had years ago, and the surgery I had a few days ago. In all my previous surgeries, the physician/podiatrist numbed my entire toe. On the surgery I had a few days ago, the podiatrist only numbed half my toe. Why the anesthetic shot I had a few days ago only numbed the side of my toe where the ingrown toenail is is no mystery. There are two nerves in the big toe. My podiatrist only gave me a shot into the nerve on the side of the toe where the ingrown toenail is.

I don't know what type of anesthetic my podiatrist used to numb my toe a few days ago, but it was probably lidocaine. Most podiatrists use lidocaine to numb a person's toes.

I asked my podiatrist why the anesthetic shot did not numb my toe where the toenail was ingrown, and she said that I might have an infection. She said that if I have an infection, the infection could prevent the anesthetic from fully numbing my toe where the toenail pierced the skin. How would an infection prevent anesthetic from fully numbing my toe?

 

[berkeman]

TL;DR Summary: I recently got a shot of anesthetic to numb my toe. The anesthetic did not fully numb my toe. My podiatrist said that an infection could prevent anesthetic from numbing my toe. How would an infection prevent anesthetic from numbing my toe?

I asked my podiatrist why the anesthetic shot did not numb my toe where the toenail was ingrown, and she said that I might have an infection. She said that if I have an infection, the infection could prevent the anesthetic from fully numbing my toe where the toenail pierced the skin. How would an infection prevent anesthetic from fully numbing my toe?

What did she say when you asked her this question?

If you did not ask it during the appointment, have you called her advice nurses to ask the follow-up question?

 

[sevensages]

What did she say when you asked her this question?

If you did not ask it during the appointment, have you called her advice nurses to ask the follow-up question?

I didn't ask her how an infection would prevent anesthetic from numbing my toe.

I've not called her advice nurses to ask either.

 

[berkeman]

I didn't ask her how an infection would prevent anesthetic from numbing my toe.

I've not called her advice nurses to ask either.

And so tomorrow morning, what is the first phone call you will make?

 

[sevensages]

And so tomorrow morning, what is the first phone call you will make?

I won't be calling my podiatrist to ask her how an infection would prevent anesthetic from numbing my toe. Explaining how anesthesia works at a chemical level is beyond the scope of a podiatrist's job. That's not what she gets paid to do.

I ask the question here at PF in the Biology and Medical forum because asking such questions is the purpose of this forum.

 

[DaveE]

Explaining how anesthesia works at a chemical level is beyond the scope of a podiatrist's job. That's not what she gets paid to do.

The human body is much more complicated than just chemistry. So is the practice of medicine. If you doubt this, read a bit about the placebo effect (just an example, I'm not implying this is applicable to you). MDs have much more training in clinical practice than anyone here.

You just might get an answer from one of us, but I bet it's nearly worthless. I too have some ideas about your question, but I'm not qualified to broadcast them. Social media isn't a good place to get medical advice.

PS: plus google works for more detailed info. For example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lidocaine

 

[Rive]

Inflammation (usually not directly infection) may have such effects. That is why dentists prefer to bring down the inflammation first if possible before actual treatment and asks you to come for checks regularly, before things gets nasty.

I believe that's just enough hint so you can google up both details and horror stories based on that. Next time give more focus on prevention and maintenance

 

[pinball1970]

TL;DR Summary: I recently got a shot of anesthetic to numb my toe. The anesthetic did not fully numb my toe. My podiatrist said that an infection could prevent anesthetic from numbing my toe. How would an infection prevent anesthetic from numbing my toe?

I had an ingrown toenail removed for the fourth time last week. When my podiatrist gave me a shot of anesthetic into my toe, the anesthetic did not fully numb my toe. I still felt pain around where my toenail pierced my skin. The podiatrist removed about 10% of my toenail, and then the podiatrist put acid on the corner of my toenail bed in the place where the toenail was removed. When the podiatrist cut out about 10% of my toenail last week, it was somewhat painful. And when the podiatrist applied the acid to my toenail bed a few days ago, the acid stung.

The other three times that I had my toe numbed to remove an ingrown toenail, the shots of anesthetic fully numbed my toe 100%, and the other three surgeries I had to remove an ingrown toenail were 100% painless. There are some other differences between the other three surgeries I had years ago, and the surgery I had a few days ago. In all my previous surgeries, the physician/podiatrist numbed my entire toe. On the surgery I had a few days ago, the podiatrist only numbed half my toe. Why the anesthetic shot I had a few days ago only numbed the side of my toe where the ingrown toenail is is no mystery. There are two nerves in the big toe. My podiatrist only gave me a shot into the nerve on the side of the toe where the ingrown toenail is.

I don't know what type of anesthetic my podiatrist used to numb my toe a few days ago, but it was probably lidocaine. Most podiatrists use lidocaine to numb a person's toes.

I asked my podiatrist why the anesthetic shot did not numb my toe where the toenail was ingrown, and she said that I might have an infection. She said that if I have an infection, the infection could prevent the anesthetic from fully numbing my toe where the toenail pierced the skin. How would an infection prevent anesthetic from fully numbing my toe?

pH in infected tissue was mentioned a couple articles including these.

https://www.bjaed.org/article/S2058-5349(19)30152-0/fulltext

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...esthetics are very pH,the fibres is very slow.

 

[sophiecentaur]

how an infection would prevent anesthetic from numbing my toe

Blood flow at the periphery (toes) could limit getting the anaesthetic where it's needed.

Did you scream enough to make the medic notice your pain? My very elderly Mother in Law had cataract surgery and it was hurting. She was sooo damned polite that she didn't complain but just squirmed a bit now and again.

"Mrs F...... please sit still" was the only thing the surgeon had to say. So much for bedside manner.

 

[tech99]

I recall that to anaesthetise my toe required several injections into the foot and it was not a nice experience but was completely effective.

 

[berkeman]

What did she say when you asked her this question?

If you did not ask it during the appointment, have you called her advice nurses to ask the follow-up question?

I didn't ask her how an infection would prevent anesthetic from numbing my toe.

I've not called her advice nurses to ask either.

And so tomorrow morning, what is the first phone call you will make?

I won't be calling my podiatrist to ask her how an infection would prevent anesthetic from numbing my toe. Explaining how anesthesia works at a chemical level is beyond the scope of a podiatrist's job. That's not what she gets paid to do.

I ask the question here at PF in the Biology and Medical forum because asking such questions is the purpose of this forum.

Bull manure. You need to ask these medical questions of your medical providers, not reject that option and take the advice of anonymous people on the Internet. You do not know what medical licenses we hold here, but when you call the advice nurses or visit your doctor, you definitely know what medical qualifications and licenses they hold. Please trust your medical providers.

You will receive a PM notice. This thread is done.