Ankle surgery can help you get back to doing all of the activities you love, so long as the operation and your recovery stay on track. If something goes amiss at any point in this process, it’s important that you reach out to your surgeon or your care team to rectify the situation. But what are some of the warning signs that you should be aware of that there is a problem with your ankle after your procedure? In today’s blog, we shine a light on five signs of an issue after your ankle surgery.
Signs Of An Issue After Ankle Surgery
Your surgeon and your care team will give you some individualized advice about some of the things you’ll want to watch for, and don’t be surprised if they talk about some of the warning signs on the list we have below.
1. Discolored Discharge – An infection is likely the greatest threat to your ankle and your whole body following a surgical procedure, so a number of these symptoms may suggest that you’re dealing with an infection. One of the most obvious symptoms of a post-surgical infection is foul-smelling, discolored discharge. You may have some lightly discolored discharge from the wound site in the first 24-48 hours after the incision site has been closed, but if you have yellow, green or otherwise discolored discharge that has an unpleasant odor, reach back out to your surgeon.
2. Fever – A fever is also a sign of an infection, and there’s a decent chance it is related to your recent surgery. If you have a temperature over 101 degrees, you will want to let your care team know, as it’s a sign that you body is attempting to fight off an infection.
3. Worsening Pain – Pain and discomfort are typically at their worst for the first day or two following your procedure. That’s not to say that you will be in extreme pain the day after surgery, but odds are this will be when you are most uncomfortable. However, if your pain gets significantly worse days or weeks down the road, there may be an issue with how the area is healing, and you’ll want to let your doctor know.
4. Numbness – Your foot and ankle will likely be numb following the procedure, so numbness certainly isn’t always a problem. That said, if you regain sensation in your feet only to find that your ankle or feet are going numb throughout the day, it may suggest that there is a nerve issue or circulation problem at play. Numbness can also make you unsteady on your feet, so let your doctor know if your ankle or feet are going numb during your recovery.
5. Calf Swelling – It’s normal to have swelling in and around the ankle area following a surgical procedure, but if you are dealing with significant swelling in your leg or calf, it may be a sign of deep vein thrombosis or a clot. Keep an eye on your legs and talk to your doctor if your calf is swollen at an unexpected time.