Resume your normal medications, unless directed otherwise. Take your pain medications as directed. Do not smoke. You can eat and drink a normal diet but pain medication can cause constipation so a diet that is high in fibre may be helpful. Plenty of protein, fruit and vegetables will provide the nutrients that are best for healing. Warning signs: Contact a doctor if you experience any of the warning signs below. If it is after hours contact your local emergency department.
Severe foot pain that is not relieved with elevation, ice, and medication. Fever over Severe calf pain, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Adverse reactions to prescribed medications. Usual recovery time The recovery time following a foot or ankle operation varies widely, depending on factors including how complex the surgery was, your age and general health, and your compliance with instructions such as weight bearing status, rest, elevation.
Your first return visit On your first return visit, your cast or bandage will be removed for the first time. Resuming footwear The problems of bone healing and swelling prevent early return to normal footwear following most foot and ankle surgeries.
Return to work Since virtually all foot and ankle operations require rest and elevation of the operated foot for at least 2 weeks following surgery, it is rare that a patient will be allowed to return to work before 2 weeks following surgery. Resuming activities Activities are usually progressed gradually in the following sequence: very restricted activities of daily living ADL with mandatory rest and elevation, restricted ADL with rest and elevation, full ADL with restricted footwear, ADL with standard footwear, non-impact exercise activities with standard footwear, and finally, full weight bearing exercise activities.
Rehabilitation Most foot and ankle operations require some form of rehabilitation. Should you have any unanswered questions, please call us on Simon Manners Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon. Ice should be place on the foot or ankle for minutes per hour during waking hours only.
You do not have to use it during the middle of the night. Some podiatry offices use cold machines which work on their own, and you will be shown how to use it prior to or directly after surgery. Ice will help reduce pain and swelling. It is normal to notice some blood on the bandage, so do not become alarmed if you see a small amount. Free-flowing blood is not normal, and you should contact your surgeons office immediately.
It is normal to feel dizzy or lightheaded the first few days following surgery. If possible, use assistance when walking. If you have been lying down, sit up slowly and remain sitting with your feet over the edge of the bed for at least one minute before standing.
The local anesthetic used during the surgery may last up to 48 hours. This means you may not feel anything or be able to move your toes for this time period. The numbness may make it hard to feel the effects of not following the directions. If you have not elevated your foot above your heart, not walked only to the bathroom, not used cold to minimize swelling, or not taken your medication as prescribed, you may have more discomfort than anticipated once the anesthetic has worn off.
You will get a certain amount of swelling following any foot or ankle surgery. Elevation above the heart will help reduce this. If the bandage or cast feels too tight, touch the end of your toes to see if they blanch white then pink within a few seconds. If so, then this is normal. If it takes longer for the normal color to return or a blue color is noted, call your doctors office immediately. Unless you are in a cast, it is good to move your foot at your ankle for a few minutes each hour.
If you feel severe pain to the back of the leg, knee, or upper leg with redness and heat call your surgeons office right away. It is normal to run a low-grade fever for up to 72 hours following surgery.
If the fever persists or exceeds degrees, call your doctors office. It is essential to keep all follow up appointments with your podiatrist to ensure you are healing properly. Redressing may be performed to your foot or ankle. These are general tips to follow. Your foot and ankle surgeon will likely give you his or her own written instructions. If your goal is quick, safe and comfortable recovery, then the Lounge Doctor is the only choice.
My Account. Cart 0. Why is Elevating the Legs So Important? Do: Lie flat on your back. The key here is to make sure that your upper body, primarily your heart, is positioned at an angle below the legs. Do: Use an elevation aid. As you can see, getting the proper angles and height right is key to proper leg elevation, and using a foot rest pillow can help you achieve these specifications without sacrificing comfort or setting up a new rig every time you need to elevate.
Always use an elevation pillow for feet to ensure safe, comfortable healing. Rest, ice, compression and elevation are as vital in post-operative scenarios as they are when treating injuries. Couple your post-surgery elevation with icing and compression garments for even more healing benefits. Here are some helpful tips for successful post-surgery leg elevation: Ask for Help — It can be extremely difficult for independent people to accept that they may need a bit of help in the days and weeks following surgery.
But the truth is that in order to minimize injury and prevent pushing yourself too hard, you should learn to ask for help after surgery. A friend, family member or caregiver can do things for you to minimize strain and pressure on the treated area.
He or she can also keep you company and maybe even cheer you up. Monitor Pain — As best as you can, try to get in touch with your body, measuring pain, swelling and mood every day. There are apps you can install on your smartphone to help you monitor pain and walk you through recovery, including BuddyCare and PeerWell Rehab. The key is to get as much rest as possible, so you should do everything you can to make the experience enjoyable, like readying a stack of books, magazines and TV shows to binge.
Make sure that you listen to your body and increase your physical activity level slowly, taking baby steps. Tip: Consider investing in a pair of glasses that lets you read while lying down! Hydrate and Nourish — Consuming enough water is an important part of the recovery process, as H2O is needed for proper delivery of nutrients to the cells throughout your body.
Dickson recommends following a plant-based diet after surgery to give the body additional vitamins and minerals, which are essential for recuperation. Listen to Your Body — While almost no surgery patient comes out of a procedure with zero discomfort, your doctor should prepare a treatment plan that mitigates pain and discomfort to some degree.
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