Foreign Bodies

What are Foreign Bodies?

A nail lodged in a foot.

Foreign bodies consist of a variety of different substances such as wood, hair, guitar strings, metal, glass, and living tissue such as sea urchin spines, sea anemone stingers, or bee stingers. A foreign body can go unnoticed for some time if it's small or embedded deep in the tissue, sometimes surfacing later as unexplained pain, swelling, or drainage.

Diagnosis

Certain diagnostic tests are performed depending on the type of material suspected. Some materials, such as metal and glass, show clearly on X-ray, while others, such as wood, thorns, or spines, may require ultrasound or other imaging to locate. Dr. Moy also examines the entry point and surrounding tissue for signs of infection or reaction to the material.

Treatment Options

Foreign bodies are typically extremely difficult to remove. It takes exceptional skill to locate and isolate them and remove them in total without destroying surrounding anatomical tissue. Leaving fragments behind can lead to chronic inflammation, infection, or a draining sinus tract, so complete removal, not just symptom relief, is the goal.

When to See a Surgeon

If you suspect a foreign body is still in your foot, especially if the area is painful, swollen, draining, or not healing as expected, it should be evaluated rather than left to work itself out on its own.