Deion Sanders is celebrating a major milestone in his recovery after losing two toes on his left foot in 2022. Four years after the amputations, the Colorado Buffaloes head coach recently received two prosthetic toes and shared his reaction with fans. According to a People report, Sanders’ son, Deion Sanders Jr., documented the moment his father received the prosthetics on Sept. 16. Sanders joked about the reveal before putting them on and proudly declared, “I’m 10 toes down again!”
The new prosthetic toes are more than a cosmetic change for Sanders. People also reported that he is learning to walk with the new devices and said the toes would allow him to return to his size 11.5 shoes. He also praised the color match and joked that his new toes had not yet “made friends” with the toes he still had.
For Sanders, the moment marked another chapter after a serious vascular complication that once threatened not only his toes but his leg and, according to his own account, his life. His experience also offers an opportunity to understand what toe amputation involves, why poor blood flow can become dangerous and how rehabilitation can affect mobility.
Why did they amputate Deion Sanders’ toes?
The circumstances surrounding Sanders’ amputations began with a foot problem and developed into a serious blood-flow emergency. According to ESPN, Sanders initially had a dislocated toe and an inflamed nerve. He underwent a procedure in September 2021, but complications followed.
ESPN further reported that Sanders developed a blood clot in the femoral artery, one of the major arteries supplying the leg. He also developed compartment syndrome, a condition involving dangerous pressure buildup and swelling within a muscle compartment. Doctors performed additional procedures, and his toes eventually became dark beneath his bandages. Sanders ultimately had his left big toe and second toe amputated.
“The hardest thing of it all was to look down there and understand once upon a time, you were this kind of athlete, and now you don’t even know if you’re going to walk… because all you feel is pain, and you just want to get out of this hospital,” Sanders said in his Coach Prime documentary.
People later reported that Sanders had three life-threatening blood clots and cited orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Sheskier, who explained that the femoral-artery clot was responsible for the serious circulation problem. Reduced blood flow can deprive tissue of oxygen. When tissue becomes severely damaged or dies, amputation may be necessary to prevent the problem from threatening other parts of the body.
How a toe amputation works
A toe amputation is a surgical procedure that removes part or all of a toe when the affected tissue cannot be safely preserved. According to MedlinePlus, amputation may be necessary because of severe trauma, poor blood flow, uncontrolled infection, wounds that do not heal, tumors or tissue that has become severely damaged.
The exact operation depends on the condition of the toe and how much healthy tissue remains. A surgeon generally removes the damaged or diseased portion while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. The remaining tissue is then shaped and the surgical site is closed so it can heal.
The reason for amputation matters when determining how much tissue must be removed. For example, a localized infection might require removal of one toe, while severe circulation problems could cause more extensive tissue damage.
After surgery, wound care and rehabilitation become important parts of recovery. The Cleveland Clinic‘s amputation guide explains that rehabilitation can involve physical therapy, occupational therapy, pain management and prosthetic training. The goal is to help a person adapt to changes in balance, movement and daily activities.
In Sanders’ case, the 2026 prosthetic toes are designed to replace some of the appearance and function lost after the 2022 amputations. People reported that Sanders was learning to walk with the new toes.
Limitations
Losing one or more toes does not automatically mean a person will lose the ability to walk, but it can change how the foot interacts with the ground. Toes contribute to balance, stability and the push-off phase of walking. The effects can become more noticeable when multiple toes are removed or when the big toe is involved.
Research published in PubMed found that patients who underwent toe amputation generally had less impact on daily activities than those who underwent higher-leg amputations. However, walking ability still varied among individuals.
A case report published in the National Library of Medicine found that multiple-toe amputation can alter gait mechanics, including reducing push-off and changing the way force is distributed between the legs. These changes can place additional demands on other joints and muscles.
Another recent systematic review found that partial-foot amputation can be associated with slower walking, shorter steps and altered loading patterns, although the researchers emphasized that available studies have limitations.
For someone recovering from the loss of a toe, footwear and rehabilitation may therefore matter significantly. A person may need specialized shoes, inserts, orthotics or prosthetic devices to improve comfort and stability. Recovery also depends on the health of the remaining foot, circulation, wound healing and the underlying reason for the amputation.
Risks and safety considerations
Like other surgeries, toe amputation carries potential complications. According to MedlinePlus, possible complications include bleeding, blood clots, breathing problems and poor wound healing. Infection and persistent pain can also occur.
The condition that caused the amputation can create additional concerns. For people with circulation problems, reduced blood flow can make wounds harder to heal. MedlinePlus also explains that severe narrowing or blockage of arteries can reduce blood flow to the legs and, in serious cases, contribute to tissue death and amputation.
The Mayo Clinic similarly explains that poor blood flow and nerve damage can make foot wounds more difficult to detect and heal, particularly among people with diabetes. High blood sugar, smoking, peripheral neuropathy, and peripheral artery disease are among the factors that can increase amputation risk.
Dr. Diana Rangaves, PharmD explains to Blavity, “One in five of the more than 37 million persons in the US who have diabetes are unaware of it. It ranks as the seventh leading cause of death in the US. Amputations of the lower limbs are also often caused by diabetes, along with adult blindness and renal failure. The number of adults with diabetes has more than doubled over the past 20 years.”
After surgery, wound monitoring is essential. MedlinePlus advises patients to watch for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, bleeding, fever, worsening pain, wound separation or changes in skin color. Those symptoms can signal complications that require medical evaluation.
Rehabilitation is another safety consideration. Patients may temporarily need crutches, a walker or a wheelchair while the surgical site heals. Physical therapy can help rebuild strength and balance while reducing the risk of falls.
Alternatives
Amputation is not always the first treatment considered. When circulation problems are involved, doctors may evaluate whether blood flow can be restored before removing tissue. Depending on the underlying condition, treatments can include medication, vascular procedures or surgery to improve circulation.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, doctors may begin with a physical examination and an ankle-brachial index, or ABI, which compares blood pressure in the ankle with blood pressure in the arm. Doppler ultrasound can also help identify areas where blood flow is reduced or blocked.
For more detailed information about blood vessels, doctors may use CT angiography, magnetic resonance angiography or catheter-based angiography. These tests can help identify the location and extent of arterial blockages. The Mayo Clinic notes that physicians may also use blood tests, tissue or fluid cultures and imaging such as X-rays, CT scans or MRI scans when tissue death or infection is suspected.
When damaged tissue can no longer be saved, amputation may become necessary. The Cleveland Clinic notes that limb-salvage procedures can sometimes be considered when appropriate. These procedures can carry their own risks, including infection, wound-healing problems, additional surgeries and the possibility that amputation could ultimately still be required.
Bottom line
Deion Sanders’ toe amputation followed a serious medical crisis involving blood clots and compromised blood flow in his left leg. Four years later, his new prosthetic toes represent another step in his rehabilitation. His experience also highlights why circulation problems, wounds and changes in the color or condition of the toes should be evaluated promptly. While toe loss can affect balance and walking mechanics, rehabilitation, footwear and prosthetic technology can help many people regain mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you still walk if all your toes are amputated?
Yes, some people can still stand and walk after all toes are amputated, although balance, push-off and gait may change and rehabilitation or specialized footwear may be needed.
What’s the worst toe to lose?
The big toe is generally the most functionally important toe to lose because it contributes significantly to balance and push-off during walking, although the impact varies by person and the extent of amputation.
Citations
Dye N. Deion Sanders Shows Off His New Prosthetic Toes After Undergoing Amputation. People. Published September 18, 2026. https://people.com/deion-sanders-shows-off-new-toes-after-undergoing-amputation-12126285
ESPN. Jackson State Tigers football coach Deion Sanders says he had two toes amputated after medical setback. ESPN. Published March 8, 2022. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/33454182/jackson-state-tigers-football-coach-deion-sanders-says-had-two-toes-amputated-medical-setback
MedlinePlus. Leg or foot amputation. MedlinePlus. Published November 7, 2024. https://www.medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007365.htm
Cleveland Clinic. Amputation: What It Is, Types, Risks & Recovery. Cleveland Clinic. Published October 12, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/21599-amputation
MedlinePlus. Peripheral Arterial Disease. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/peripheralarterialdisease.html
Mayo Clinic. Amputation and diabetes: How to protect your feet. Mayo Clinic. Published January 21, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/amputation-and-diabetes/art-20048262?p=1
Hoshino J, Ubara Y, Ohara K, Ohta E, Suwabe T, Higa Y, et al. Changes in the activities of daily living (ADL) in relation to the level of amputation of patients undergoing lower extremity amputation for arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). Circ J. 2008;72(9):1495-1498. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18724029/
Iijima H, Eguchi R, Yamamoto-Kon A, Terabe Y, Takahashi M. Compensatory gait mechanics in person with multiple toe amputation: A single case report. Physiother Res Int. 2023. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10444944/
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Peripheral Artery Disease — Diagnosis. National Institutes of Health. Published March 24, 2022. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/peripheral-artery-disease/diagnosis
Mayo Clinic. Gangrene — Diagnosis & Treatment. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gangrene/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352573
Cleveland Clinic. Limb Salvage Surgery: Procedure, Risks, Recovery & Results. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/limb-salvage