- You may shower tonight, letting soapy water run over your incisions(s) and patting them dry with a towel. You should avoid submerging the leg (bath, pool, hot tub, etc.) for at least one week.
- You may begin to transition out of the post-op shoe as swelling and sensitivity allow. Once you have fully transitioned out of the post-op shoe, you may begin to reintroduce activities in a step-wise fashion.
- Using your thumb, begin massaging around the incision to desensitize the area and break up any scar adhesions.
- In 2 weeks, you may begin applying a scar cream (vitamin E based, such as Mederma) or silicone sheets.
- I would like to see you back in 4 weeks for your next follow-up appointment.
Ludloff Bunion Correction: 1st Post-op
- You may shower tonight, letting soapy water run over your incision(s) and patting them dry with a towel. You should avoid submerging the leg (bath, pool, hot tub, etc.) for at least one week.
- You will be heel-weight bearing for the next 4 weeks.
- I have showed you in clinic today how to perform a bunion wrap to fine-tune the position of the toe. You should continue to perform this wrap daily. If you notice any drifting of the great toe towards the second toe, you may use tape as added fine-tuning. The bunion wrap should ALWAYS be in place unless you are showering.
- You will continue to ice and elevate the leg as much as possible. Elevating the leg above the level of the heart will reduce the amount of time required to bring down the swelling.
- I would like to see you back in 4 weeks for your next follow-up appointment. We will obtain new x-rays at that time. If there is appropriate evidence of healing, we will likely transition you to full-foot weightbearing in a flat post-op shoe.
Lisfranc Repair: 1st Post-op
- You may shower tonight, letting soapy water run over your incision(s) and patting them dry with a towel. You should avoid submerging the leg (bath, pool, hot tub, etc.) for at least one week.
- You will be strict non-weightbearing in the boot for 4 more weeks.
- Use an ace bandage or a thick sock to prevent the boot from rubbing on the incision(s).
- You will wear the boot at all times (including sleeping), except for the following:
- Bathing, showering
- Exercises
- In a completely controlled environment, for the purpose of icing
- You will start doing exercises for the ankle to maximize your post-op flexibility. You will do these twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening:
- Write the alphabet with your foot. Do two repetitions.
- Stretch the Achilles by placing a towel across the ball of your foot and pulling up. Hold each stretch for a five-count and do five repetitions.
- You will continue to ice and elevate the leg as much as possible. Elevating the leg above the level of the heart will reduce the amount of time required to bring down the swelling.
- You should continue taking the blood clot prevention medication (aspirin or equivalent) as prescribed until you are at least 4 weeks post-op.
- I would like to see you back in 4 weeks for a follow-up appointment. We will obtain new x-rays at that time. If there is appropriate evidence of healing, we will likely have you begin progressive weightbearing in the boot.
Ankle Lateral Ligament Reconstruction with Peroneal Repair: 1st Post-op
- You may shower tonight, letting soapy water run over your incision(s) and patting them dry with a towel. You should avoid submerging the leg (bath, pool, hot tub, etc.) for at least one week.
- You may begin progressive weightbearing in the walking boot. Please refer to the separate handout.
- Use an ace bandage or a thick sock to prevent the boot from rubbing on the incision(s).
- You should come out of the walking boot/brace and perform exercises to maximize your post-op ankle flexibility. You should perform the following exercises twice per day, once in the morning and once in the evening:
- You should work on 3 sets of 15 reps of dorsiflexion (up), eversion (out) but avoid plantarflexion (down) and inversion (in) for now.
- Stretch the Achilles by placing a towel across the ball of your foot and pulling up. Hold each stretch for a five-count and do five repetitions.
- Plantarflexion (down) and inversion (in) may begin at 4 weeks post-op.
- You should continue taking the blood clot prevention medication (aspirin or equivalent) as prescribed until you are at least 4 weeks post-op.
- Physical therapy may begin at 4 weeks post-op. A referral will be provided today.
- I would like to see you back in 4 weeks for a follow-up appointment.
Ankle Lateral Ligament Reconstruction: 1st Post-op
- You may shower tonight, letting soapy water run over your incision(s) and patting them dry with a towel. You should avoid submerging the leg (bath, pool, hot tub, etc.) for at least one week.
- You will begin progressive weightbearing in the walking boot over the course of one week. Please refer to the separate handout.
- Use an ace bandage or a thick sock to prevent the boot from rubbing on the incision(s).
- You should come out of the walking boot/brace and perform exercises to maximize your post-op ankle flexibility. You should perform the following exercises twice per day, once in the morning and once in the evening:
- You should work on 3 sets of 15 reps of dorsiflexion (up), eversion (out) but avoid plantarflexion (down) and inversion (in) for now.
- Stretch the Achilles by placing a towel across the ball of your foot and pulling up. Hold each stretch for a five-count and do five repetitions.
- Plantarflexion (down) and inversion (in) may begin at 4 weeks post-op.
- In two weeks (4 weeks post-op), you will be allowed to transition out of the walking boot back into regular shoes with the assistance of an ankle brace. The ankle brace should be worn whenever weight bearing.
- Once you are out of the walking boot, you may resume straight-line, low-impact activities such as bicycling, walking, or working out on the elliptical trainer.
- You should continue taking the blood clot prevention medication (aspirin or equivalent) as prescribed until you are at least 4 weeks post-op.
- Physical therapy may begin at 4 weeks post-op. This will follow the checkpoints from the Accelerated Protocol (given today).
- I would like to see you back in 4 weeks for a follow-up appointment.
