The speed at which one is able to recover from ankle surgery depends on how much they allow themself to rest and how well the post-care instructions provided by the podiatrist and surgeon are followed. This review highlights three effective tips for recovering from ankle surgery as quickly as possible.
Patients can help ensure a fast recovery from ankle surgery by planning in advance for rest at home, following the post-surgery aftercare instructions closely, and keeping the swelling to a minimum through the RICE method and other at-home anti-inflammatory techniques.
Needless to say, rest is essential after ankle surgery. In fact, it is one of the main factors in determining how long the recovery process takes. The more time that is allowed for proper rest, the faster the recovery will likely be.
Take care of any necessary physical tasks prior to ankle surgery and be sure to also purchase plenty of healthy foods to eat. It is also helpful to make the existing living space is comfortable before the procedure and find fun things to do, such as reading a book or binge-watching Netflix.
The surgical staff or podiatrist should provide a list of clearly stated post-surgery instructions to follow. For example, most require patients require to take certain medication and do small exercises to slowly improve strength and mobility in the ankle. There are also hygiene practices that are important to follow to avoid an infection post-surgery. Be sure to review all post-surgery instructions closely and follow them as directed.
There is likely to be some swelling and discomfort after ankle surgery. Patients can minimize the inflammation and discomfort, however, by taking over-the-counter medication as prescribed and using the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Ask the podiatrist about how to properly implement the RICE method into the post-care routine to allow for a speedy recovery and reduce inflammation and discomfort.
There are various factors that affect the time it takes to recover from ankle surgery, such as the severity of the injury and how well the patient follows the aftercare plan. In general, ankle surgery recovery takes anywhere from five to eight weeks with the average time being around six weeks. Of course, following the three tips above can help for a faster recovery time.
If you feel you may have suffered an ankle or foot injury that requires surgery, contact us today to schedule a visit. We can assess the injury and determine the best treatment plan. We also take pride in helping our patients after the surgery to make a fast and full recovery so they can return to their normal routine as soon as possible.
Request an appointment here: https://www.pocatellopodiatry.com or call Ambulatory Foot & Ankle Clinic at (208) 803-0010 for an appointment in our Pocatello office.
Check out what others are saying about our podiatry services on Yelp: Ankle Surgery in Pocatello, ID.
