A toenail trim led to gangrene then leg amputation but Michael Moss remains positive

One moment he was trimming his nails and the next he was in lifesaving surgery to remove his leg. Now this Adelaide man is learning to embrace his new life and help others.

Michael Moss cut his toenail and lost his leg.

The father of two slipped while trimming his left big toenail, nicked the neighbouring toe, and “like most men” didn’t think too much of it let alone immediately seek medical help when the wound became infected.

“I thought it was OK but then got gangrene, I ended up in intensive care in the RAH for five days,” he said.

“They didn’t think I was going to make it.”

The disastrous toenail trim was in May 2022 and Mr Moss subsequently underwent four operations gradually taking more and more of his foot as surgeons tried to save it.

“At one stage it was cut back to the ankle and they were hoping to save half a foot, but MRI scans continued to show shot spots,” Mr Moss recalls.

“Then a vascular surgeon told me ‘if we don’t take the leg off I won’t be talking to you in two months.’

“I’d already decided I was going to have it off, so on June 21, 2023 I went in and had it off below the knee.”

Mr Moss, 71, of Magill has taken a positive approach to the DIY pedicure catastrophe.

He got as fit as he could prior to the surgery and now works out three times a week at the ARC Campbelltown gym which he says has been important for both his physical and mental health.

Michael Moss, 71, lost his leg after getting gangrene from a small toe cut, he now works out three times a week at ARC Campbelltown. Picture: Brett Hartwig

He has been back to the RAH to thank staff, and now works as a mentor with Limbs 4 Life, supporting people facing an amputation or having been through one.

He notes he suffered depression as his foot was gradually pared back in a futile effort to save it, but is now embracing life and wants to help others facing similar challenges.

“I really didn’t know what I would be facing with things like getting a prosthetic leg, and want to help others in a similar situation,” he said.

The former operator of a Cartridge World outlet now is accustomed to his prosthetic leg and also has a waterproof “shower leg” which he quips his wife Kim is grateful for, as he can now shower unaided.

“Walking is not a problem now and I have taken the mindset that I am not going to let it bug me,” he said.

Mr Moss said his brother-in-law had encouraged him to get to the gym where he has seen a considerable improvement in both is upper left leg and his intact right leg strength, as well as making new friends including other people using the gym as part of their rehabilitation work.

He said podiatrists had told him it is more common than thought for people, particularly older people, to get a foot infection from slips while trimming toenails.

“It is something to be aware of and if you do get a cut, make sure it does not get infected,” he said.

“The people at the RAH were terrific and so was my GP, Richard Worthington, through it all.

“The gym has been fantastic for my physical and mental wellbeing, while Limbs 4 Life helps me give others facing an operation a bit of insight and practical help with things like prosthetics.

“And I have been very lucky that I have had no phantom pain in the missing leg.”

Originally published as A toenail trim led to gangrene then leg amputation but Michael Moss remains positive