Questions and Answers

Ø What should I do if my foot hurts after surgery?

You will be given pain medicine that is very strong. This medicine is a narcotic and is addictive in nature. However, you do not need to worry that you will become addicted while taking it for a very short time.

The medicines we frequently use are Percocet, Vicodin, demerol, and Darvocet N-100. The night after surgery, you may take two of these tablets every 2-3 hours as needed. Usually by the second or third day after surgery your foot will begin to feel better, and you will require much less pain medicine. Sometimes if you wait until the pain is very severe before taking the medicine, the pill will not work immediately and may take up to one hour before you feel some relief.  Therefore we recommend that you start the medication even with mild pain when you first get home after surgery.

Limiting your walking the first three days and elevating your foot above your heart will do a lot to improve your pain. In addition, you may put a towel over the bandage and apply a bag of ice to your foot for twenty minutes of every hour.

Ø What should I do about nausea and vomiting?

Many patients have nausea after surgery when taking pain medicines. If you can, start with an over the counter Benadryl pill every four hours.  If you can't hold anything down, we may have to prescribe a medicine in suppository form.  Please contact our office for help.

Ø What should I do if I have a fever?

A fever is quite common after surgery for several days. You may even have slight chills and sweating. If you have a low grade fever you should make an effort to cough and breathe deeply to clear congestion from your lungs.  If your temperature is over 102º please call to inform us.

Ø What should I do if I see blood on my bandage?

Many patients bleed through onto their bandages after surgery. Please do not let this alarm you. If there is a significant amount of blood, you may wrap extra gauze on top of the bandages. Please do not remove the initial bandage since this is sterile and we want to maintain cleanliness around the wound until we change the dressing.

Ø When do I come back to see the doctor?

When patients have their surgery and go home the same day, we usually see the patients back in the office one to two weeks after the operation. Then we will often change the bandage and take an x-ray of the foot or ankle. If you don't already have your return appointment please call (717) 761-5530 and make a return visit with me for one to two weeks after your surgery. Stitches usually are removed at the three week appointment.

Ø When can I shower and bathe?

Often we will keep a snug compression bandage or splint on your foot for several weeks after surgery. You should not get this bandage wet. If the bandage should become wet, we will need to change it within a couple days; therefore, you should keep your foot dry until the bandage is removed for good.

Ø What should I do if the bandage comes off?

The bandages are placed in a very specific fashion. If the bandages are removed or come off, please place sterile gauze over the wound and wrap it with gauze wrap. We should see you in the office the following day to replace your bandage.

Ø Should I walk on my foot or do I need crutches?

After most surgeries, you will be given crutches or a walker. Most patients find that using crutches or a walker for the first week after surgery makes walking more comfortable. You may place weight on the heel of your foot. Often the foot hurts with weight on it without causing harm to the surgery. Some patients should not place any weight on their foot. If this is the case we will instruct you not to walk at all on your foot. Please use crutches or a walker until told otherwise.

Ø How long do I have to wear the wooden shoe or splint?

You should wear the wooden shoe or splint when walking or hopping until we instruct you otherwise. The wooden shoe adds needed support for your foot and your surgery can be severely damaged if you walk without it.

Ø When will the numbness wear off from my foot?

We usually numb your foot for surgery. Sometimes it takes twenty-four hours for the numbness to go away. You may continue to have some numbness in your toes after this time because the nerves can be slightly bruised during surgery. Occasionally the numbness in the toes will last for several months, but should not caused alarm.

Ø When will the stitches be removed?

We usually remove the stitches three weeks after the surgery. If you miss your appointment because of an emergency, do not be alarmed because the stitches can remain in for many weeks without causing harm.

Ø What do I do about swelling around my toes and behind my bandage?

All patients have significant swelling around their bandage and foot after surgery.  Many times the toes will turn black and blue. This swelling will last for several months. After surgery, you should elevate your foot higher than your heart to decrease swelling. This is particularly critical for the first three days after surgery. Increased swelling puts increased pressure on the edges of the incision and may cause it to split slightly. Once the wound is healed, the swelling will not harm your surgery. If you are concerned about significant swelling or redness please call for an appointment.

Ø How do I know if my foot is infected?

Many patients will have a slight drainage of yellowish fluid for several weeks after surgery. This does not mean your foot is infected. Severe wound infections occur from five to ten days after surgery.  If you notice extreme swelling, increased pain, or extreme redness please contact us immediately. Usually if we treat an infection early with antibiotics future surgery can be avoided.

Ø When can I drive?

You can drive when you are comfortable putting weight on your foot. You will be given guidance, but this is a decision only you can make.  Please be sure that you are comfortable putting pressure on your foot and be certain that you are always wearing your wooden shoe when driving. Since I do not operate a driving test center, I tell all patients the same thing. Please go to a high school parking lot or church after hours and practice with someone before driving on public roads.

Ø When are the pins removed from my foot?

We often use pins to hold your toes in proper alignment. You will notice the tip of the pin with a small cap protruding from the end of your operated toes. Please feel free to touch this spin, and if you bump it on the bed covers, or on a hard object, do not worry because this will not damage your surgery. Pins are removed in the office much like stitches in three to four weeks.

Ø What do I do if I feel the bandage is too tight?

The bandage is place in a very specific fashion and should be snug to decrease swelling in the foot. However, if your dressing feels entirely too tight, you may split it slightly along the inside and outside borders of the foot. If you have a splint with an ACE wrap, you may undo and loosen the ACE wrap only . Please do not remove your bandage totally since it is placed in a sterile fashion.