Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel N. Verville
June 1, 2016
Any surgery is challenging, especially if you’re not sure what to expect. As part of our plan for advanced patient care, we’ve put together five tips to help make your surgery as smooth as possible.
- Bring everything you need to the hospital: After foot surgery, you will need to spend time at the hospital and should bring all of your medication to make sure you are comfortable. Flat, durable footwear should be packed so that you can wear a shoe on the foot that is untreated.
- Help after surgery: The first couple months after surgery can make even basic tasks much more difficult. Arrange for someone to help you with tasks such as shopping for necessities or cooking.
- Navigating stairs: After foot surgery, you’ll need to be more conscious of accessibility to your home or place of work. Patients who live in a home with two or more floors will need to avoid climbing stairs to ensure that their foot is not aggravated by unnecessary activities.
- Handrails for support: Test the handrails in your home to make sure that they can support your weight prior to surgery. You may need to reinforce bannisters or find a way to take weight off of your foot while healing.
- Plan appropriately for healing: For many of our Plano patients, the most difficult aspect of foot surgery is the time spent limiting activity. Remember that you may feel better after a few months but complete recovery will take up to a year.
Leaving the Hospital
Contact a friend or family member who can help you for at least a day or two after surgery. This will give you time to settle into your new routine without the pressure of doing everything on your own. Your main job is to heal, so limiting chores and activities will speed up the process.
Many of my patients prepare for recovery by setting up a comfortable area in their home, either on the couch or even in bed, to get the rest needed to heal.
For more advice on foot surgery, contact our Plano office at (214) 385-8822
