How Long Before You Can Walk Again After Foot Surgery
After foot surgery, you can return to walking and other normal activities, but the recovery period varies greatly from patient to patient. Some of the factors that affect recovery time include the type of procedure performed, your weight, pain level, and early weight bearing. Listed below are some of the most common foot surgeries and how long you must wait before you can resume walking. In addition, learn about the specific conditions that require surgery and the recovery time for those conditions.
Recovery time
If you are wondering how long it will take before you can walk again after foot surgery, you’ve come to the right place. Depending on the procedure, the recovery period can range anywhere from two weeks to six months. While you’ll probably need to wear a brace for several weeks, you can gradually return to regular activities. While this process won’t be fun, you shouldn’t expect to feel miserable.
Generally speaking, walking can be resumed about three weeks after foot surgery. Patients are encouraged to walk at least 30 minutes a day for the first couple of weeks after surgery. Physical therapy after surgery involves gradually returning to normal activities. Most patients are able to return to most of their previous activities, though there may be a slight lag. The length of time it takes for recovery will depend on your specific surgery, your age, and other factors.
Pain level
Most people wonder, “How long will it take before I can walk again?” After foot surgery, patients cannot drive for several weeks. After the cast is removed, patients may be able to drive six to eight weeks later. In this time, the bone heals and walking can begin. Then, patients can begin light activity and gradually increase pressure, impact, and intensity. Although there is still some pain, patients can gradually increase walking distances and activities.
During the post-operative period, you will need to prepare the home for the recovery process. Depending on your surgery, you may have bandages or dressings on your foot. Keep the area clean and cover dressings with bandages if possible. The doctor will give you specific instructions about caring for the dressing. Generally, stitches or pins are removed at about two to three weeks. When you are able to walk again, you can gradually reduce your pain medication and return to your normal lifestyle.
Early weightbearing
The decision to allow early weightbearing after foot surgery is based on the deformity and type of fixation used during surgery. There is no evidence that early weightbearing after foot surgery is harmful, and recent studies have demonstrated its potential benefits. However, there is no clear evidence as to whether early weightbearing after foot surgery reduces symptoms, or improves union rates or other postoperative complications. Although the decision to allow early weightbearing after foot surgery should be left up to the discretion of the orthopaedic surgeon, recent studies have shown that it can be performed safely and within the limitations of the surgery.
It is important to follow postoperative instructions to the letter. Failure to follow these instructions can result in increased postoperative pain and delayed bone healing. The patient must understand the limitations of non-weightbearing for at least two weeks after surgery. Failure to do so can delay the healing of the wound and can even cause infection. Therefore, it is vital to follow postoperative weightbearing instructions carefully. In addition, patients must stay off of their feet for at least two weeks to avoid infection.
Conditions that require surgery
Many of the conditions on the feet can be resolved with foot surgery, but certain conditions cannot. For example, a neuroma, a benign growth in the foot’s soft tissue, can cause pain, tingling, and numbness, and may require surgery to remove it. A foot specialist can treat these conditions without any surgery if they are caught early enough. However, if they are more advanced, they may require surgery. After the procedure, the affected tissue will be removed to restore sensation and function.
Hammertoe is a deformity in which the middle of a toe bends upward. The condition causes pain when wearing shoes, and surgery can correct it. The procedure involves moving the bone and tendons or even placing screws or pins to repair the toe’s position. Depending on the severity of the condition, the surgery will involve the placement of metal pins or plates to correct the problem. If the pain persists, the doctor may recommend surgery to correct the deformity.
