Ainhum Self-Amputation Disease Mystery

Ainhum is a rare condition where a tight, fibrous band slowly forms around the base of the pinky toe, gradually cutting off its own blood supply. Over several years, the band tightens, the bone and tissue begin to break down, and the toe can eventually detach and fall off on its own. Doctors have observed this process across different populations, most often affecting adult men, and it can take 4 to 6 years to reach full auto-amputation. Despite understanding how the toe is physically constricted, the exact cause of ainhum is still unknown.

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