If you've shattered the bones in your feet or experienced some other serious challenge that called for foot surgery, you may wonder how you will ever walk, run, or play on the affected foot again. However, you can help your recovery along by adopting some smart postoperative recovery strategies, including the following examples.
Rest, Elevation, and Observation
Immediately following surgery, your foot may display bruising, swelling, and other symptoms of internal bleeding. Until the soft tissues heal from the operation, your doctor will advise you to keep the foot elevated as much as possible. You may need to rest and elevate the foot for at least two weeks.
Beyond normal swelling and bruising, watch for other visual changes that might indicate an infection. If you notice unusual foot pain, swollen lymph glands in the groin, a high fever, or breathing problems, return to the hospital right away for evaluation and treatment.
Physical Therapy
As soon as the first phase of healing has occurred, you may need to undergo a course of physical therapy. This form of rehabilitation can prove crucial if you want to regain full use of the foot. An experienced physical therapist can prescribe a personalized exercise program to improve your foot's blood flow, strength, and flexibility.
Typical postoperative physical therapy exercises for the feet include ankle pumps, toe scrunches, toe lifts, and tandem walking. Ankle pumps reduce swelling and prevent stiffness, while toe exercises help you build strength toward the front of the foot. Tandem walking helps you regain balance and stability.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Throughout your recovery, healthy lifestyle choices can help your body heal itself more efficiently. For instance, a balanced diet provides the raw materials necessary for tissue rebuilding. Make sure to get plenty of vitamin C, iron, vitamin B12, protein, probiotics, and fiber. Avoid sugar and excess sodium.
Don't smoke while recuperating from any kind of surgery. This habit can impair your circulation, limiting the amount of oxygen and healing nutrients your foot receives, resulting in delayed or incomplete recovery. If your doctor made you quit smoking before you underwent surgery, try to put the habit aside indefinitely.
The right combination of patience, self-care, and hard work can help you recuperate from your foot surgery as quickly and successfully as possible. Follow your surgeon's instructions and contact a physical therapy center in your area to put yourself firmly on the road to recovery.
Share20 December 2022
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