Last week, we gave you 5 FAQs about ankle and foot surgery. There is plenty more where those come from. Surgery is a complicated thing and the most successful operations are those in which the patient is well informed. Here are 5 more frequently asked questions about foot and ankle surgery.
1. How long will I need help with everyday tasks?
That depends on the type of surgery and your personal recovery situation. With all surgeries, you need help the first night following surgery (this is when the nerve block wears off). Being in pain all by yourself is a scary thing, and having a family member or a friend there to help you out can be very beneficial.
2. Am I allowed to get the wound wet?
Once the post-op dressings have been removed it is alright to shower your wound. Dressings are typically removed 1-2 weeks after surgery. Avoid soaking wounds until all stitches and pins have been removed. Getting the incision area wet during the first 2 weeks of healing will cause maceration and other issues.
3. Is it alright for me to change my dressing?
Dressings keep wounds clean, hold tissues in alignment, and control post-op swelling (edema). Never change a dressing without your doctor’s permission.
4. Will I have to stay at the hospital overnight?
With most foot and ankle surgeries, hospital overnight stays are not required. We perform our operations at a new state-of-the-art surgery center. It is much nicer to be able to recover at home than in a hospital. In rare cases, patients who have lengthy reconstructive surgeries, or elderly patients who need extensive assistance after surgery require a stay in the hospital for a few days.
5. Will the wound scar after surgery? Is there anything I can do to prevent scarring?
All incisions leave scars, nothing can be done about that. The goal is to have a flat, thin scar that pigments like the surrounding skin, allowing it to blend in. This can be accomplished a number of different ways, including:
- Excellent surgical technique
- Using less reactive sutures, avoiding bacterial contamination, treating the infection quickly
- Controlling swelling in the immediate post-op period
- Moisturizing creams to aid in skin healing
- Avoiding sun exposure during the first year