There are many reasons for having foot surgery. Regardless of the reason, doctors who perform foot surgery have a goal of restoring your foot to normal, whether it’s from a fracture, arthritis, chronic plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, or ankle instability.

Before foot surgery, your doctor will walk you through the process of surgery and recovery. This is a great time to ask questions and address any concerns you have about the procedure itself or the recovery period.

How you prepare for your surgery impacts post-surgical outcomes. Here are some tips on how you can better prepare for your foot surgery.

Discuss Recovery with Your Doctor

Ask your foot and ankle surgeon what the recovery process will be like. Will you be needing assistive devices? How will you be managing post-surgical pain and how can you avoid infection and other complications? When can you start physical therapy exercises? When can you go back to work or sports? These are good questions that you should be asking your doctor beforehand.

Take Good Care of Yourself Before Surgery

You need to take care of yourself leading up to the surgery date. This means eating healthy foods, getting plenty of rest, and avoiding activities that could put undue stress on your feet, such as running or standing for long periods of time. Additionally, if you smoke, now is the time to quit – smoking increases the risk of complications after any type of surgical procedure. There may be some medications that you need to stop taking before the surgery, so check with your doctor ahead of time.

Arrange for Your Return Home

Almost all foot surgeries are outpatient procedures that do not entail an overnight hospital stay. Make sure you have someone who can drive you home after the surgery since sedation will likely be used during the procedure, which can render you unfit to drive.

Prepare for Your Stay Home – Stock Up on Supplies

Buy and stock things before the surgery like ice packs, bandages, gauze, etc., so that everything is readily available when you need it. Also, arrange for prepared meals to be delivered to you, so you do not have to cook (at least for the first several days). Choose comfortable clothes that are easy to put on and take off, as well as shoes that will help keep pressure off of your feet while they heal up properly. You should be taking it easy for at least a few days afterward, so make sure you take care of your work and personal life commitments ahead of time or make arrangements with loved ones to pick up the tab while you are in recovery.

Foot and Ankle Surgeon in Cincinnati, OH

The foot and ankle surgeons at Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care are dedicated to top-notch foot and ankle care. We offer a range of treatments, from highly advanced non-surgical treatment methods to state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgery techniques. Our podiatrists are well-trained and highly qualified to take care of all your foot and ankle needs.

To schedule an appointment, call our podiatry office nearest you or use our convenient online request form. We look forward to providing you with the best foot and ankle care in Cincinnati.