Open Foot & Ankle Surgery
Open foot and ankle surgery is surgery through an incision in the area
of the foot most commonly used for treatment of all types of foot and ankle
fractures, Achilles tendon ruptures, and bunion deformities.
What to Expect
Open foot and ankle surgery is done either as an outpatient or
as an overnight stay procedure. Prior to surgery you will be asked
to see your primary care doctor for “medical clearance”. They may
check blood tests, EKG, and a chest x-ray in addition to other
tests they find indicated.
Once surgery is scheduled, the hospital or surgery center will
contact you ahead of time to provide specific details about your
procedure. Please make sure to ask any questions you have and follow
the instructions on when to arrive and especially on when to stop
eating or drinking prior to surgery.
On the day of surgery, the anesthesia staff will talk with you about
anesthesia options. You will be asleep for the procedure and often a regional
nerve block is recommended to numb the foot and ankle for pain relief.
Once in the operating room, you will be positioned so that a clear view
of your foot and ankle can be obtained. A member of the surgical team will
clean the skin over the foot and ankle with an antiseptic solution and a sterile
drape will cover your foot and ankle. Typically the incision is made over the fracture
or area of reconstruction. At the end of surgery the incision is closed with stitches
and covered them with a large, soft bandage.
Postoperatively you will stay in the recovery room for 1
to 2 hours before being discharged home or to the hospital floor.
Nurses will monitor your responsiveness and provide pain medication
, if needed. You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first night if you go home.
Recovery from foot and ankle surgery depends on the procedure
performed but takes several weeks and a few months before full recovery
. Physical therapy will play a vital role after surgery in regaining strength and motion.