- 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.
- Continue to perform passive range of motion exercises of the great toe, at least twice per day.
- Using your fingers, rapidly alternate between up and down for 2-3 minutes.
- Slowly push to extremes of motion, holding for a 5-count. As your discomfort and sensitivity decrease, you may use the floor to push-off for greater range of motion.
- You may wean out of the post-op shoe and back into regular supportive shoes as your swelling and scar sensitivity allows. Most patients are transitioning back into regular shoes at around 3-4 weeks post-op, but you may begin as tolerated.
- Use a dressing or a thick sock to prevent the post-op shoe from rubbing on the incision.
- Once you have returned to regular shoes, you may increase activities in a step-wise fashion.
- I would like you to first become comfortable with activities of daily living before reintroducing straight-line, low-impact activities (walking, bicycling, or working out on the elliptical trainer).
- Once you are comfortable at this level, you may then reintroduce higher-impact, straight-line activities (jogging and running).
- The final step will be the addition of activities involving lateral movement and uneven ground.
- Continue to ice and elevate as needed.
- In 2 weeks, you may begin applying a scar cream (vitamin E based, such as Mederma) or silicone sheets.
- Physical therapy is not typically required, but can be initiated as soon as 2 weeks post-op if needed or desired.
- I would like to see you back in 4 weeks for your next follow-up appointment.
