Post Operative Instructions

Dr. Latika Hinduja
3578 Brodhead Rd. Monaca Pa 15061
Phone: 724.775.6168, FAX: 724.775.2633

Foot, Ankle and Surgery

After discharge from surgery center, go directly home
Rest the remainder of the day and limit your activities
Keep children and pets away from your operative foot or ankle
Limit your walking or standing until you see your surgeon for your follow up visit
If applicable, always wear your surgical shoe or CAM walker when walking
You should NOT bear weight on the operative foot unless you were otherwise instructed
Use crutches, walker, knee scooter or assistance as instructed
You can NOT drive for 24 hours after surgery or while taking pain medication. You can NOT drive with operative foot untill cleared by your surgeon
You should NOT drive with operative foot until cleared by your surgeon
You MUST have a driver to office visit scheduled 1 week after surgery

Gradually advance your diets from liquids (soup, jello) to light meals (toast, crackers)
There are no dietary restrictions. Resume your regular diet at tolerated
At all times, drink plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration

Expect swelling after your surgery. Ice will help reduce pain and swelling.
Keep your foot elevated(higher than heart level) while you are sitting or lying down. This will help decrease pain and prevent swelling. Keep this support and positining untill your first post operative visit.
On the day of surgery - use ice bags three times a day for 20 mintus. Thw as needed.
The first week after surgery - use ice bags three times a day for 20 minutes. The as needed.
DO NOT place ice bags directly on your skin, always have a protective barrier

Keep your dressing or cast dry and intact. Do NOT remove your dressing unless specifically instructed by your surgeon. If bandages or cast become saturated or wet call the office immediately. 724-775-6168
DO NOT remove the bandage, boot, or cast after surgery.
Your boot will be removed, and your dressing changed within one week after surgery.
To shower, cover bandage/cast with plastic wrap or cast bag. Do NOT get bandage / cast wet.
Bleeding is expected and your bandage may become stained. If your bandage becomes soaked with blood, please contact the office. 724-775-6168

The post operative medications prescribed by the surgeon. If unsure of the medication of the possibility of an allergy, do NOT take the medication and contact your surgeon immediately. 724-775-6168.
The night after surgery you may take one to two tablets every four to six hours as needed. Usually, but not always, by the third day after surgery your foot/ankle/leg will begin to feel better, and you will require less medication.
We recommend taking these medications with food.
Many pain medications contain Tylenol or Acetaminophen, DO NOT consume more than 3,000 mg of Acetaminophen in one day.
DO NOT take Advil or Aleve or Tylenol unless instructed by your physician.
DO NOT drink alcohol, smoke, drive a car, operate any machinery, or work with heavy equipment while taking your prescription pain medication.

You may apply ice over your foot/ankle to help with pain and swelling. Use ice only when you are Wke and make sure that it does not leak and get your dressing wet.
DO NOT use hot water bottles or electric heating blankets.
We DO NOT recommend travelling for extended periods of time after your surgery.
Sponge baths may be taken, but you must keep the surgical site dry.

Temporary numbness or tingling (usually resolved after the first few days, May be longer.)
Pain at the operative site. (The degree of pain depends on the type of surgical procedure.)
Throbbing when the leg is hanging down(Example: When sitting in a chair.)
Bruising and swelling to the toes and discoloration and swelling to the toes.
Drowsiness, especially if taking any narcotic medication. (Do NOT drive or Operate any machinery or care for infants or young children while taking narcotics, i.e. , pain medication.)

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Chest pain or discomfort
Become excessively lethargic or unconscious
Significant pain in the calf muscle which is the muscle behind the lower leg. This may indicate a blood clot in your leg, and you need to report to the Emergency Room immediately.

Call the office if you have not alredy scheduled your follow-up appointment. We would like to see you within 1 week after your surgery.
You will be instructed as to whether crutches/walker/knee scooter will be used or not following surgery.
Your ability to bear weight will also be disclosed to you by your surgeon. Non-weightbearing means there should be no weight on the surgical foot at any time.
After hours, if you have any questions or concerns, call the office number.

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