A 54-year-old man with diabetes presented with hallux osteomyelitis associated with a draining sinus tract. Infection involved the phalanges of the great toe, placing the hallux at risk of amputation.

Radical surgical debridement with resection of the infected phalanges was performed while preserving the soft-tissue envelope of the hallux. The wound was left to heal by secondary intention following complete eradication of the infected bone.

The wound healed completely by secondary intention within approximately 3 months, without the need for hallux amputation.

Complete eradication of osteomyelitis was achieved while preserving the great toe, maintaining its weight-bearing function and contribution to normal gait.