Even though it sounds easy, improper leg elevation can make your recovery time more uncomfortable. There is a thin cloth between the ice and your skin. I am non-weight bearing until I am in the boot. By using our site, you agree to our. If youre in pain after surgery, apply ice on the affected area to reduce swelling. Elevate the leg for comfort. Hey, we get it. 1 Swollen Foot After Knee Surgery; 2 How to reduce leg swelling after surgery. Use this time to get a bite to eat or to use the bathroom, otherwise, you really need to ice and elevate the foot. While the occasional soda or coffee is fine, do not count these beverages as part of your daily water intake. Make four to eight loops with the tape, secure it to the mattress, and then place the pillow on top. Weight-bearing exercise and household chores are also out of the question during early recovery, so be sure to follow doctors' orders and only conduct approved exercises. Acute pain is a common side effect, and many patients will use opiod pain medication to deal with the discomfort. If possible, invest in a king-size pillow, as this gives you plenty of space to move in case you need to roll over to grab something. You can purchase support stockings online at health supply stores, such as ExMed and Walgreens. The most important benefit of leg elevation is improving blood flow to the legs, which can greatly reduce swelling. 14. Expert Interview. How long does it hurt to walk after ankle surgery? Whether your feet are puffy due to pregnancy or too much walking, elevating them can make you more comfortable. Fix It. The length of time you must wear a cast or splint depends on the type of fracture you have. The clot can cause significant problems for your heart and respiratory system, and can collide with the lungs. Ankle arthroscopy may be done to check an injured, unstable, stiff, or painful ankle. Dr. Catherine Cheung is a board certified Podiatrist based in San Francisco, California. The problem that I have with ankle . The results are more than impressive. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. The ankle is an important part of our regular activities like walking, jumping, and running where one wrong move during these activities can take the joint to push too far. You need to maximize the time your foot is elevated for at least the first 72 hours after surgery. Without surgery, your ankle will be placed in a cast or splint for 4 to 8 weeks. Wounds usually seal and stop bleeding by three days following surgery. Your foot may require a temporary handicap parking permit or a walker while you recover. . Your question was how long- until there is little or no swelling. Keep the postoperative dressing dry. If you experience pain or swelling after foot surgery, the best position is to elevate your legs at least 30 degrees above your heart. Is it OK to sleep with your feet elevated? Mild to moderate injury or sprain can be . Walking without the shoe/boot will cause damage to the surgical site and will cause an increase in pain, and the procedure may not heal correctly. You should do this every few hours. 6 tdn. Expert Source Elevate your leg when you can. % of people told us that this article helped them. I definitely knew when my leg was down too long. How long after foot/ankle surgery do I have to keep my leg elevated? 4. Specific weight bearing instructions for your surgery will be provided on the I have been off pain meds for several days now and have minimal pain when my leg is elevated. They can have a diuretic effect. There are 21 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Does walking reduce swelling after surgery? The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Today: Go directly home and lie down after surgery. This article has been viewed 193,026 times. An ankle sprain is a significant injury. Frequently, it is an outpatient surgery, so you can go home the same day. Finally, elevating your ankle prevents further damage to torn ligaments during the early stages of recovery. "This is very simple to understand and easy to follow. We strive to educate our patients and partner with them in their quest for overall foot health. That means the foot may not touch the ground when . Avoid lying flat on your back if you are pregnant and past the first trimester. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 193,026 times. Keep your operated leg elevated at a minimum of a 45-degree angle. Always clean your wounds regularly as directed by your doctor and keep your wound' dressing dry. Using your ankle too quickly after a sprain could increase your risk for future sprains or chronic ankle instability. In the early stages, medical professionals recommend that you keep your foot elevated. 720 Florsheim Drive Libertyville, IL 60048 If you are concerned about a possible medical condition, a treatment plan, or if you have questions about your medical care, please contact a trusted medical professional.Visit https://www.FAANT.com or call us at 817-416-6155 for more information! Tiger Woods Hoping To Avoid Surgery For Plantar Fasciitis, 4 Signs You Should Replace Your Orthotic Inserts, Dr. Silverman Presents To A Global Audience At Greek Surgical Convention. A-Z of all conditions and treatments. 3 weeks in a fiberglass cast nonweightbearing. If you want to reduce swelling and pain, put ice or a cold pack on your knee for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Following your doctors orders, you can put pressure on your foot the next day if you wear a boot. If there's one piece of advice that everyone seems to be tossing your way, it's this pearl of wisdom: always elevate your broken ankle. Try to elevate the foot above the level of your heart. 13. If theres one piece of advice that everyone seems to be tossing your way, its this pearl of wisdom: always elevate your broken ankle. We are a group of like-minded foot and ankle surgeons, Dr. Clifford Bliss, Dr. Adriana Karpati, Dr. Lauren Pruner, Dr. Nathan Stickney, \u0026 Dr. Paul Steinke, who strive for excellence. and reading your. Contact Information. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Try to have your foot elevated for a total of 2-3 hours each day. You can purchase a small footstool for under your desk if you spend lots of time sitting at work. Ankle arthroscopy (ahr-THROS-ko-pe) is a procedure to check or repair a damaged or diseased ankle joint. If youre sleeping in an elevated position (helpful hint: you should be! Elevation: Swelling to some degree is common after surgery. After foot surgery, many patients will experience acute pain. How long will the pain last? Get Plenty of Rest To Promote Healing After Foot or Ankle Surgery. Health Professionals. Your mom called you up to tell you. Southeast Orthopedic Specialists team of foot and ankle specialists can perform surgery in the event of a broken ankle . Last updated on April 18, 2022 Reading Time: 3 minutes After foot surgery, it is normal for the foot and ankle to be swollen, even if they do not have any visible incisions. Place a couple of pillows behind your back so you are propped up at a 45-degree angle. It's also known as the Brostrom procedure. To assume the correct leg elevation position, your thighs should be tilted at a less than 45-degree angle, your knees should be bent at an angle between 20 and 30 degrees and the calves should be tilted between 15 and 20 degrees to allow gravity to gently drain blood and fluid back towards the core. You can use pillows or a stool to keep your foot up. For patients needing surgery for a broken ankle, one of the biggest risks is a complication called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The Lounge Doctor Leg Rest is the only . Shop for shoes at the end of the day when your feet are at their most swollen. "I did not realize their was so much care to be given to the feet. Our goal is to make this experience as pleasant as possible for you. When elevating the feet, lie down with your . Offering virtual care. Keep it clean and dry and follow your doctor's instructions for when and how to shower. Recovery is dependent upon multiple factors including the grade of sprain, past medical history, current medications, bracing, and return to weight-bearing (6). You should prop up the sore leg on a pillow for 3 days after surgery. Place the pillow under the knee, which will cause your foot to rise up. If you place the pillow under your foot, this will place a considerable amount of stress on your knee. It can take up to six months to fully recover from ankle fusion surgery, but it's a phased recovery that will include different levels of mobility. Ankle boot. I also still have pain on inner ankle. No weightbearing activities are allowed: no walking, standing, or balancing on the cast. With the leg elevated I advise a cold pack or bag of ice directly on the top of the foot ( 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off). Some medications and medical conditions may interact with non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. Your cast or splint may be changed more than once, as your swelling goes down. Dr. Paul Steinke, with Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas, demonstrates how to properly ice your foot or ankle after a surgery or injury.This video is . As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Some conditions, including diabetes and others that cause poor blood flow, can slow down healing or interfere with the process, requiring additional elevation time. Place the pillow or stool under the ankle and calf to allow your knee to remain straight. Taking care of the surgical site is also important, as any infection can prolong the healing time. It is important to elevate the entire leg, down to the ankle. When the Doctor says to elevate, you darn well do it. Plan to keep your feet elevated for 20 minutes at a time during the day, which will help reduce swelling. foot/ankle for 2 weeks after surgery. You may also use pillows to elevate, but never place a pillow behind your knee. Since virtually all foot and ankle operations require rest and elevation of the operated foot for at least 2 weeks following surgery, it is rare that a patient will be allowed to return to work before 2 weeks following surgery. How can you elevate your broken ankle without experiencing any pain? Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic and pain medication. However, if you have experienced unusual bleeding, call the office to discuss your options. By keeping your legs elevated above your heart, blood flow will be improved and fluid will be removed more easily. Keep Your Foot Elevated Above Heart Level. In the first few days following surgery, restrict the time your foot is "down" to 10 . Especially the first 3-4 days it is critical to keep her foot elevated to decrease swelling and pain. It is not a diagnosis, and it is not necessarily medical advice every person and their situation. If youre feeling the need to ice your feet more frequently due to swelling and pain, make an appointment with your doctor. Shoes should fit your feet well, even when theyre at their largest. Certain yoga poses, such as lying on the floor with your legs up against the wall, can reduce foot swelling, too. If you want to wear high heels, a chunky heel rather than a stiletto will provide more stability. For the first six to 12 weeks after ankle fusion surgery you won't be able to put any weight on your foot or ankle at all. Your mom called you up to tell you. [1] Support wikiHow by This takes slightly longer if you have a general anaesthetic rather than an ankle block. Your doctor will give you a list of warning signssuch as fever, chills or pain that doesn't go awayto look for after surgery. I found this. Keeping your foot elevated is the best way to minimize swelling and to eliminate the risk of deep vein thrombosis. You should do this exercise twice a day for at least half an hour. Phone#: 847.247.4000 2923 N California Ave Suite 300 Chicago, IL 60618. If you can keep it elevated for more than 48-72 hours you should do so. During this time, you should avoid heavy activities, anti-inflammatory medications, and smoking. How do you prevent blood clots after foot surgery? I now have a splint-type cast and go back to the surgeon for my first follow up next week (2 weeks post-op) and will be in a removable cast for 4 weeks, and then in a boot. The amount of pain is also dependent on the type of surgery performed. be sure to stop for as long as the doctor recommends. Written by: Paulina. How Long Do I Need to Keep My Foot Elevated After Foot Surgery? You should also do this exercise three to four times a day. I would like to continue this forever for better health. Use an ice pack or bag of ice to reduce inflammation. With reduced loading on your healthy limb you won't have as much stress placed on the other joints, making them healthier as well. 11. If you have an injury, such as a sprained ankle, youll want to elevate your foot more often. Make sure to keep your legs straight, as this will promote proper blood flow to the leg. That amount o. Even your former college roommate sent you a Facebook message to tell you that you should always elevate your broken ankle. the recommendation is to remain in bed, with the leg elevated on pillows, until the patient is well enough to return to the operating . . I had surgery April 19, still red, purple, swollen. I'm just pushing forward through the . Raise your ankle above the level of your hips to reduce swelling. This is a serious condition that can occur when a blood clot forms in a vein inside the body. Do not place pillows directly behind the knee. In the first 6 months, the surgery improved the patients' ankle range of motion by an average of 66 percent. This not only makes your broken ankle much more comfortable, but it can also aid in the healing process. A lateral ankle ligament reconstruction is a surgery to tighten and firm up one or more ankle ligaments on the outside of your ankle. After this period, let pain and swelling be your guide - if it hurts or swells, elevate it. Avoid placing weight directly on your heel Sitting position Minimize sitting time as much as possible to limit swelling. For tips from our Medical co-author on how to prevent swelling by wearing the right kind of shoes, keep reading! Answer: Elevating an injured body part is a measure to control and reduce swelling. Ankle swelling lasts for about nine to twelve months. Your doctor can advise you on a healthy weight range for you. unlocking this expert answer. Early movement and exercise: Early movement of the ankle and foot is important to promote circulation and reduce . Recovery is usually slow after a foot or ankle surgery, depending upon the type of surgery. When you're in bed, keep your leg elevated; do this within the first two weeks. 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