The key to your surgery recovery.

Written By Tim Pargeter

Post-surgery expectations could be one of the most vital conversations to have with your practitioner prior to having foot or ankle surgery. 

Foot or ankle surgery is a big deal (and rightly so!). Although the aim is to get you back doing what you love, understanding the recovery plan to get you there is important. 


When there is a misalignment between your expectations, and the reality of a surgery or injury recovery, it could have a negative impact on your progress. It may cause increased levels of frustration, increased focus on lack of progress or de-motivate.


The best time to have this conversation is prior to surgery, or early in your surgery recovery. There are three key areas we tend to focus on to align expectations for best outcomes: 

What you should expect following foot or ankle surgery:

SYMPTOMS
Expect there to be symptoms! Everyone will have varied levels of symptoms. This is based on a variety of factors including the type of surgery, age, current health conditions and ability to recover following surgery. 


The main symptoms to expect following surgery is as follows:

  • Pain

  • Swelling (this is often the last symptom to go, and can remain for 6-12 months post-surgery)

  • Numbness


TIMELINE
Being aware of your recovery timeline can help with post-surgery planning, and allow you to get mentally prepared for the journey ahead. 


Things to find out prior to surgery:

  • Type of offloading: CAM boot / plaster cast / post-surgical shoe

  • Weight bearing status (every surgery and surgeon is different, it’s important to know the timelines around weight bearing status)

  • Expected return to work time frame

  • Expected time to discharge following rehabilitation


REHABILITATION
Completing rehabilitation could be as important as having surgery! There is an expectation to complete rehabilitation exercises to help with improving range of motion, strength and plan return to activities of daily living and sport. 


Rehabilitation does require the following:

  • Diligence and consistency

  • Time application to complete rehabilitation

  • Attending appointments to progress rehabilitation and check in on progress


Finding an alignment between your expectations and the expectations of your surgeon and health practitioner is really important to maximise your surgery recovery! 


If you have any questions about your upcoming surgeries, feel free to reach out. 

Tim Pargeter
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