Here in our Medford podiatry practice, serving Southern Oregon and Northern California, Dr. Evan Merrill and Dr. Devin Dimond and Dr. Chase Christensen perform multiple foot and ankle surgeries. When we suggest this form of treatment for our patients, they always ask: what should we expect during recovery from foot surgery? Here’s what you need to know.
What to Expect During Recovery from Foot Surgery ![hand holding sore foot]()
The nature of your recovery will depend on the specific surgical procedure you undergo, along you’re your current state of health, your age, and any underlying conditions. But generally speaking, you can expect that healing will be complete or mostly complete within three months of your procedure. Now, bearing weight will be a different story—in some cases, you’ll be able to walk around (in a surgical boot) within days of your surgery, whereas other procedures may keep you off your foot, using crutches or a knee scooter, for several weeks. Similarly, you should expect to reduce your activities for several weeks following foot or ankle surgery—in some cases, it may take six months for your clearance to resume high-intensity workouts. Finally, once you’re out of a cast, surgical or walking boot during your recovery from foot surgery, plan to wear nothing but supportive athletic shoes for at least three months.
Foot and Ankle Surgery in Southern Oregon
Now that we’ve shared general guidelines for recovery from foot surgery, let’s look at specifics for some of the more common procedures we perform in our Medford podiatry practice.
• Lapiplasty for Bunion Correction Surgery: A bunion forms when your big toe comes under pressure, causing it to shift inward toward the neighboring toes. With time, the shift results in the formation of a bony bump beneath your big toe, which is actually the base of your metatarsal bone being pushed out beyond the profile of your foot. In the past, bunionectomy surgery—a procedure to correct the shifting bones—required a painful and intense recovery period that lasted as long as three months or more. Today, however, our doctors are trained to perform Lapiplasty—a less-invasive procedure that offers three-dimensional bunion correction. In combination, the smaller incisions and holistic correction allow for most patients to start bearing weight within days of their surgery, all without the fear of the deformity returning down the road.
• Hammer Toe Correction: Patients with hammer toe deformities have bending or curling in their toes, making it difficult to straighten out the affected digit. If we correct this deformity surgically, you should expect to be in recovery mode for between six and eight weeks, resuming normal activities after three months have passed.
• Neuroma Surgery: A neuroma is an enlarged nerve; when one develops in your foot, it can cause pain, tingling, numbness or make you feel like you’re walking on pebbles. (If the inflamed nerve develops between the third and fourth toes, it’s called a Morton’s neuroma). When conservative treatments such as shoe changes, padding, icing, injections or medications don’t offer enough relief, we may need to surgically remove the affected nerve. Post-surgical recovery in this case will take up to six weeks, depending on where your neuroma is located and where we create an incision to remove the nerve.
Your Weekly Guide to Recovery from Foot Surgery
After any type of foot or ankle surgery, pain decreases and mobility improves with each passing week. This guide can help you manage expectations for the days, weeks and months after your procedure.
Initial Days and Weeks
Your pain, swelling and discomfort will be worst within the first days after your procedure. Our team will help you manage by providing appropriate medication recommendations. You can also help yourself feel better during this time by getting lots of rest. Keep weight off your foot and elevate the affected limb when you can. If you have a cast, keep it dry. But if you have to care for your incision site, make sure to follow all post-surgical hygiene directions, cleaning and disinfecting the area if necessary and appropriately re-dressing the wound afterward.
For many patients, you will also begin physical therapy in the first few weeks after your surgery. Listening to your therapist and performing any assigned exercises will help you regain strength and mobility in your affected foot.
1-3 Months after Foot Surgery
Mos patients should be cleared for some weight-bearing activities by this point. Go slowly as you ease back in to more of your old activities, as this can help you avoid injuries. If you’re cleared for exercise or working with a physical therapist, focus on movements that build strength and balance to help support your recovery. Make sure to keep all follow-up surgical appointments in the office, as this will allow us to monitor your foot and ensure that you’re healing properly.
Supporting the Healing Process: What You Can Do to Help
Simply put, recovery from foot surgery takes time. However, there are a few things you can do to reduce the length of that recovery period. To begin with, make sure to carefully follow all your post-surgical care guidelines in order to optimize your healing process. Don’t rush into weight-bearing activities until cleared to do so, and rest as often as you can. Want to speed up the healing process? Ask us about post-operative Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Laser Therapy to see if it can support your recovery. While not every patient will be a candidate, those who qualify can benefit from the treatment’s wavelengths of light energy, designed to stimulate your body’s natural healing process so you can heal faster while managing and reducing inflammation and pain. Finally, if you have any concerns while you’re in recovery from foot surgery, make sure to call the office, or click here and ask for an immediate appointment.