How to Recover From Foot Surgery

Follow these basic guidelines after foot surgery to decrease complications and speed recovery. Give yourself plenty of time to prop up your feet and rest.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Surgical Shoe
• Surgical Tape
• Cane
• Thermometers
• Walkers
• Plastic Bags
• Ice Packs
• Ice packs
• Plastic bags
• Thermometers

1. Walk only as ordered by your physician and always wear a surgical shoe, if prescribed.

2. Sit with your foot elevated to the level of your chest. Place a pillow under your heel to reduce pressure on the foot. Dangle your foot only as long as is absolutely necessary for the first two to three postoperative days.

3. Take pain medication prescribed by your physician for surgical pain.

4. Walk with assistance for the first few days - lean on an arm, cane, or walker.

5. Put ice on your ankle - 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off - for the first two days. Ice decreases swelling and bruising by constricting blood vessels.

6. Keep bandage clean and dry. That means keeping it out of the shower or tub. If you want to shower, wrap your foot in a large plastic bag and tape the opening closed around your calf. If you prefer to bathe, have someone help you into the tub, then prop your leg up along the tub edge. Try not to leave your leg extended up too long, because circulation to the foot is reduced.

7. Leave bandage on.

8. Call your doctor if the bandage comes off or becomes wet or saturated with blood. You should also call if your foot, leg or ankle turn blue, cold or numb, if your temperature is 100 degrees F or higher, or if you have thigh or calf pain.

9. Avoid walking a prolonged distance after most types of foot surgery. Back and forth to the bathroom is OK, but walking around the block or going shopping at the mall is not.

Tips & Warnings

• Crushed ice for ice packs works better than ice cubes. The cold is more evenly distributed when ice is crushed.
• Walking longer distances than advised by your foot surgeon can cause complications in your recovery.
• Never put ice directly onto the skin. It can cause the skin to burn. Always put ice into an ice pack or wrap a towel around it.
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[leeleescrappy]

on 8/22/2009 I had a bone spur removed on the top of the right foot just below the joint of the big toe. The most excrutiating thing I've ever experienced. I kept mt leg extended in a needle for 2 days. I walked on all 4's for a week w/the foot kept high. Blood could not rush to my foot or I would rithe in pain. 2 weeks into it I had crutches. Took tub baths for 2weeks. Now it has been almost 7 weeks with 4 weeks of physical therapy. I can walk fine. Wearing only flats. The pain is still existing in the big toe. Sometimes it is horrible. My goal is to get back into my stilettos and be able to walk. I can put them on but not put weight on it. Sorry I did the surgery......I had less pain with the spur. My big toe will not bend when I try to scrunch it. Much stiffnes. If anyone else had this let me know!!

[pebbles34]

on 8/5/2009 Agree with posts. The knee walker is a great tool for non weight bearing patients. I've been NWB for 8 weeks for left foot surgery and used crutches for 2 weeks what a pain! (clutched hands) With the walker, you can move around your home, get to the bathroom. I will get the shower stool for when I have my right foot surgery it was terrible getting in/out of tub. Don't get depressed while your recovering - get plenty of rest, rent movies, read books or find a new hobby and think of it as your after surgery vacation period.

[tracilee]

on 3/15/2009 My ordeal began last March (08). I was diagnosed with AVN of the heel bone. (My heel bone died) I had my first surgery April 10, 2008. They did a bone graft and added pins and screws to fuse everything together. I had excruciating pain for months to come and by Sept. 10, 2008 I was having my second surgery. The bone graft had not taken, it died and I had a torn tendon as well. They removed the pins and screws and did another bone graft. This time they put an external fixator on the outside of my leg. It is now March 14, 2009 and I am still in a boot cast recovering with nerve problems and another torn tendon. I don't know what will come next, but this has been one of the most challenging years of my life!

[louannfoot]

on 1/17/2009 Independent individuals who wish to remain active during recovery from foot surgery should definitely go to www.AndrewStreet.com/KneeCaddies or goggle Turning Leg Caddy.... it is an alternative to crutches! they can be rented or purchased and it is unbelievable!! my doctor did not tell me about this wonderful invention...I had to do research myself to find an alternative to crutches..at age 52, I could not do crutches(I felt sure I would end up falling and breaking something else..my balance was no good on crutches!)tried the wheelchair, walker..no good and then I found the turning leg caddy and oh what a difference! I want to inform everyone of this. It's given me my life back and my sanity!!

[doodlz]

on 12/30/2008 I had a subtalar fusion and other procedures about 7 weeks ago. I'll be 20% weight bearing in about 1 week and am very excited. I've been getting by on crutches and my foot is in a boot. A walker is a must. It is really helpful in the bathroom. Also a shower stool is a must. Pain has been very manageable. The hardest part is just sitting around doing nothing, very depressing. You can learn all about my tarsal coalition and the surgery to correct it at http://tarsalcoalition.blogspot.com