How long will it take to recover from foot surgery?
Midfoot surgical procedures can take 12 weeks, with full recovery requiring 5 to 6 months. Surgery to repair a bone fracture can take from several weeks to several months for recovery, depending on the nature and severity of the injury and the surgery that was performed.
What should I do after foot surgery?
Plan on doing nothing more than resting and elevating your limb for the first two weeks after your surgery. Keep your cast or bandage dry and do not change it. Resume your normal medications, unless directed otherwise. Take your pain medications as directed.
How can I make my foot heal faster after surgery?
Elevation is crucial to a fast recovery as it helps with pain and swelling. Elevate above the hip level. This is the most beneficial position as it helps bring blood away to reduce pressure and lessen pain. Also, use ice or ice packs soon after surgery by applying for 20 minutes on and then 20 minutes off.
How bad does foot surgery hurt?
Foot surgery itself is not painful. For any kind of procedure that involves opening the body, your foot will be treated with some kind of anesthetic. Often the anesthetic is localized—it only affects the specific area of your foot that is being treated.
When can I walk after foot surgery?
Some pain or discomfort is common for about 3-4 months following surgery. After this, the reduced pain and improved mobility allows patients to walk, sit, drive a car and cope with everyday activities.
How long do you wear a boot after foot surgery?
Orthopedic boots protect broken bones and other injuries of the lower leg, ankle, or foot. They prevent more damage and help the area heal. Your doctor may have you use a boot for 1 to 6 weeks. How long you wear it depends on how serious your injury is.
How do you shower after foot surgery?
NO baths or swimming until your surgeon says it is safe to do so. When the dressings are removed, you no longer have to cover your foot with plastic. If you have steri-strips, you can shower with them on. After you shower gently pat them dry.
What are the 3 most painful surgeries?
Most painful surgeries
- Open surgery on the heel bone. If a person fractures their heel bone, they may need surgery. …
- Spinal fusion. The bones that make up the spine are known as vertebrae. …
- Myomectomy. Share on Pinterest A myomectomy may be required to remove large fibroids from the uterus. …
- Proctocolectomy. …
- Complex spinal reconstruction.
Do you need physical therapy after foot surgery?
Physical therapy is a vital part of recovery after surgery. Not only can it help you heal faster, improve your flexibility and range of motion and minimize scar tissue development, it can help you manage pain levels without excessive use of prescription narcotics.
How long does the pain last after foot surgery?
Patients, on average, experienced higher pain intensity 3 days after the operation than anticipated. The postoperative pain intensity at 3 days was the most severe, while postoperative pain intensity at 6 weeks was the least severe.
How long should you elevate your feet?
Keeping your foot raised helps decrease pain and swelling. When you elevate your ankle, try to keep it at the level of your heart. Lying on a couch with pillows under your foot is better than sitting in a chair with your foot on a footstool. Try to keep your foot elevated for 2 to 3 hours a day.
Can you elevate your leg too much after surgery?
Minimize sitting time as much as possible to limit swelling. When sitting, elevate your leg as tolerated. Do not allow your leg to dangle downwards for too long.