How Long Do Stitches Stay in After Foot Surgery?
After foot surgery, you’ll likely have some questions. Those questions include: How long do stitches stay in after foot surgery?, What happens if there’s an infection, and how long do stitches remain in my foot after surgery? Also, do I need to keep my feet elevated? These are all legitimate questions, and they’ll all be answered in this article. If you’re concerned, however, you can call your doctor to find out.
Recovery time
Post-operative instructions for recovering from foot surgery vary depending on the type of surgery performed. In general, patients are encouraged to elevate their foot above heart level and apply ice or heat to the area. The doctor may prescribe pain medication or an antibiotic to help with the recovery process. The patient should follow the doctor’s instructions to prevent infection and to avoid excessive bleeding. The foot will be immobilized in a cast or boot for the first two to three weeks.
Signs of infection
Following your foot surgery, you must be aware of the signs of infection. While it is common to experience a post-surgical fever, anything above 101 degrees Fahrenheit can signal an infection. You may also notice a reduced appetite and headaches. The infection may spread throughout the body if not treated immediately. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your podiatrist for further treatment. Following your surgery is a critical part of your recovery.
Suture marks
After foot surgery, patients will usually have dressings and bandages on their foot. They should keep these clean and dry, and take extra care to avoid soaking or rubbing the wound. Their doctor will give specific instructions on how to care for the dressings. Stitches and pins are generally removed two to three weeks after surgery. Patients should contact their doctor with any concerns, however, and follow all instructions closely.
Bleeding
If you’ve recently had foot surgery, you’re probably wondering how to deal with the bleeding afterward. After all, it’s no fun to see your foot swollen or blue, but there are ways to prevent this from happening. Following your doctor’s post-operative instructions, make sure to keep your foot elevated and your toes above your heart. Elevating your foot will also help to reduce swelling, which will prevent infection and deep venous thrombosis.
Bruising
Bruising and drainage after foot surgery is normal and will go away on its own within a few weeks. However, excessive edema can lead to various complications. For example, it may cause the incision to break down or heal incompletely. For this reason, it’s important to follow certain postoperative instructions to avoid bruising and drainage. During the first few days following foot surgery, it is advisable to keep the dressing on and keep it as dry as possible. Using a plastic dressing cover or tape may help minimize drainage. When taking a shower, use a plastic chair to elevate your foot.
Physical therapy
If you have undergone foot surgery, physical therapy is likely to be required. The surgical procedure may result in a loss of range of motion or strength and may require a period of recovery before a person can resume normal activity. Physical therapy can reduce pain and inflammation and may involve exercises and procedures to restore range of motion. Manual massage techniques may be prescribed to move fluid out of the foot. The goal is to help you return to your normal lifestyle as soon as possible.
