Recovery from Orthopaedic Surgery

The main advantages of foot and ankle surgery are:

• Long lasting pain relief
• Better function and mobility
• Greater choice of comfortable footwear
• Improved quality of life

Each individual is unique and every procedure is different. You should choose what is best for you in your circumstances.

Majority of Foot and ankle surgeries are performed as Day Case procedures under general or regional anaesthetics or local anaesthetic block.

Once you are listed for surgery, you will have pre-operative assessment for optimisation for anaesthetics and surgery. You should have been told where and when to arrive on the day of surgery.

On the day of surgery you will be seen by the Surgeon and the Anaesthetist. Procedure will be reconfirmed. You will be asked to sign a structured consent form if not already done in clinic/reconfirm if done in advance. Your leg will be marked with an arrow for correct site surgery.

After surgery, you might have plaster /cast in your operated leg. Please keep the plaster cast dry at all times. You will be given appropriate post-op shoes after your operation depending on the type of foot surgery you have had. These shoes are designed to fit over your foot and the dressings to protect it from injury. You will be given instructions about walking and moving after surgery which can be restricted or unrestricted weight bearing- Full Weight Bearing or Heel Weight Bearing or Non Weight Bearing. Depending on the status of weight bearing and help with mobilisation safely, crutches will be provided.

Regardless, you should keep your operated leg elevated above groin level post-surgery to prevent swelling most of the time of day until further instructions. You will be sent home with painkillers. You may also be sent with a supply of compression stockings and tablets/injections to reduce the risks of developing blood clots (DVT- Deep Vein Thrombosis).

You will be given instructions on Work, Driving, Flying, Sports and Leisure activities following the surgery. Depending on your particular circumstances, please ask the Consultant in clinic or Ward Team before discharge. Most people tend to underestimate time associated with recovering from foot and ankle surgery. Please talk to Consultant about the realistic timeframe. Please do not drive until you have discussed with the team and your insurers. If you do any sports, when you can restart or return to sports will depend on the type of surgery performed and you should discuss with this the Consultant and Team.

Please organise your transport home after you leave hospital post-surgery. You will be given a length of stay and planned discharge day and approximate time.

You will also be given an appointment for your postoperative visit, usually around 2 weeks from Op Date. You may have stitches or clips which are usually removed during this post op visit in outpatient clinic. Further aftercare will be provided as required depending on the procedure you had.