Post-Operative Instructions for After Foot/Ankle Surgery 

  1. Go directly home and lie down. Keep your foot elevated at or above heart level. Swelling should be expected and bruising may appear around the area. 
  2. Ask the person accompanying you to have your prescription filled.
  3. Eat before taking the medications and do not drink alcoholic beverages.
  4. Nausea may occur after. It is best to wait until this feeling has passed before eating.
  5. Keep the dressings clean, dry and intact. If the outer dressing or ACE bandage feels tight, this may be loosened by unwrapping the ACE bandage and re-wrapping it. Keep the underlying white gauze bandaging intact and do not change.
  6. Because weight-bearing instructions vary depending on the procedure, these instructions will be provided upon discharge. 
  7. The appearance of a blood spot on the dressing is not unusual. If there is persistent bleeding or increased pain that is not relieved by elevation and medication, contact the department of Foot & Ankle Surgery via the patient portal or by phone.
  8. Ice is very important to help prevent swelling as well as to help with pain control. Apply ice above the bandage at the ankle for 20 minutes every hour.
  9. Apply ice behind the knee at all times while resting.
  10. Take all medications as prescribed.
  11. Contact the department  if any of the following occurs:
    -bleeding continues
    -pain increases and does not respond to elevation
    -medication bandage or cast seems too tight
    -if you have any questions concerning the post-operative course

Diet

  • Resume your regular diet when you return home unless your provider has put you on a special diet.
  • You may not feel like eating regular portions right away. It is normal to have less of an appetite after surgery. This could return to normal when your activity level increases.
  • In the beginning, try eating small meals several times a day.
  • Choose high-protein foods to help your body heal.
  • Drink lots of fluids and include fiber in your diet, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain cereals or bread.
  • Eating these foods and drinking lots of fluids will help prevent constipation. They also promote normal bowel movement, especially if you are taking narcotic pain medication.
  • Take nausea medication as needed if it has been prescribed by your provider.
  • Let your provider know if you have nausea or vomiting that lasts longer than 24 hours.
  • Follow your provider’s specific instructions about reporting nausea.

Constipation

  • A possible complication of surgery is constipation (no bowel movement or stool over the course of several days).
  • Possible causes of constipation include anesthesia and pain medications; not drinking enough fluids.
  • Drinking fluids and eating fiber can help prevent constipation.
  • Please notify your provider if you are not passing any gas, have abdominal, pain and/or feel bloated.
  • If your provider recommends the below medications, you can obtain them at your local pharmacy (You do not need a prescription): Milk of Magnesia 30 ml by mouth twice a day) or Magnesium Citrate (half a bottle by mouth) 
    • If no results after 12 hours drink the remaining half of the bottle.
    • If no results after one day, let your provider know.
    • Do not take magnesium citrate if you have any kidney problems.

Hand Washing

  • Hand washing is a priority for all members of your healthcare team. Please clean your hands: 
    • Before and after eating 
    • Before and after touching any wound, incision, or dressing 
    • After touching body fluids or waste 
    • After going to the bathroom