Post-Operative Foot & Ankle Care:
This booklet is designed to guide you through the care of your foot and ankle wound after surgery. Following these guidelines will help ensure a smooth and effective healing process.
Immediate Post-Operative Care:
- Splint Care: Keep the splint on until your first post-operative appointment. Avoid getting it wet. If it becomes wet, contact our office immediately.
- Stitches and Staple Care: First 2 Weeks – Stitches or staples will be removed during your first post-op appointment, usually around 2 weeks after surgery.
Showering and Bathing:
- Initial Period: Take sponge baths until your first post-operative visit. Do not submerge your wound in water.
- After Stitches Removal: Showering is allowed, but avoid scrubbing the incision. Gently pat the area dry after washing with warm water.
- Bathing Precautions: Avoid baths, swimming pools, lakes, or oceans for at least 3 weeks post-surgery or until given specific permission.
Managing Your Bandage:
- Incision Care: Keep any bandage over your incision clean and dry, following your doctor’s instructions.
- Ape Strips: If tape strips are used, leave them on for a week or until they fall off, keeping the area dry.
Splint and Cast Guidelines:
- General Care: Keep your splint or cast dry and refrain from inserting anything between it and your skin.
- Dressing Layers: Understand the three layers of your post-operative dressing for proper care.
- Removable Boot: Once placed in a boot, you can remove it for showers, but avoid submerging the wound.
Special Considerations:
- DuraPrep Stains: Yellow discoloration from DuraPrep can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol the day after surgery.
- Steri-Strips: Leave Steri-Strips in place until sutures are removed, typically 10-12 days post-surgery.
