1. Once you have recovered from your anesthetic,
you will be allowed to leave the surgical center. You will need someone to drive
you home.
2. On discharge you will be provided with crutches if you do
not have them beforehand. You may not bear weight on operated foot unless
specified.
3. Keep your foot above your heart as much as possible for the
next one to two weeks following surgery. Doing this will help minimize the
swelling that usually occurs following a surgical procedure.
4. You must keep your cast or bandages DRY. Take baths only, no showers. We recommend taking
a bath with your foot outside of the tub or a sponge bath. If the Ace wrap is
too tight, it may be removed and re-wrapped. Be sure to keep the surgical wounds
dry.
5. Never insert anything into or under the cast or bandage. Your
bandage is to stay on until it is removed on your follow-up visit.
6. Use pain medication as prescribed. Fill medication before surgery so that this is
available immediately post-operative.
7. Use crutches as needed. Minimize your activities for several days to a week after surgery. To alleviate pain, you
may apply ice above the wound for 15-20 minutes. Put the ice in a waterproof bag
and wrap the bag of ice in a towel. Do not get the dressing wetk.
8. It is normal for there to be a small amount of drainage onto the bandage. If you
notice continual or abnormal oozing, please call the office
immediately.
9. Make sure you have a scheduled appointment three days
post-operative for dressing change.
Contact the office if:
• your foot pain increases daily rather than decreases
• your foot becomes hot, red, or you run a fever
• pins are loose or have come out partially or completely, develop discharge around pin sites
• your toes below the cast or bandage become discolored (reddish or purple) or swollen
• your toes below the cast or bandage become painful, numb, or difficult to move
• you have severe pain unrelieved by pain medications or elevating the foot
If you have any question or concerns, please call the office for further instructions. After
clinic hours, call the answering service and ask for the doctor. Inform the
operator that you just had surgery.
Office telephone (858) 536-9500
Answering service (866) 504-2903
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