Foot and ankle surgery is a specialised area. Every patient is different and Mr Goldbloom will devote time for discussing goals of surgery to achieve the best outcome. It is important that you play your part in ensuring your procedure and recovery run smoothly. Therefore, it is important to be familiar with instructions both pre and post operatively. If there is anything you do not understand, please ask.
Results of Foot and Ankle Surgery
Results vary from patient to patient. It can take between 3-12 months to achieve your desired outcome.
This will be related to a number of factors including:
- The severity of your condition.
- Your personal goals of surgery.
- How well your body responds to surgery.
- Your compliance to the rehabilitation requirements.
Foot and Ankle Devices
It is very likely you will be required to purchase a foot or ankle support to protect the work done during surgery. You may also require a mobility aid to assist you in getting around. It is worthwhile planning a week in advance to ensure you have time to source the footwear and trial the aids required before your surgery.
Download Foot and Ankle Devices PDF
Fasting
Fasting is required to make your anaesthetic as safe as possible. The Anaesthetist may cancel your surgery if you are not fasted. Do not eat or drink after:
- Midnight for a morning case.
- 7:00am for an afternoon case.
These time frames are to be adhered to unless our team instruct you otherwise.
What You Bring to Hospital
- Your Anaesthetist may need pathology results and will contact you before your surgery.
- Your regular medication.
- The information pack given to you at your consultation.
- Any questions that you have written down and wish to ask.
- Clean feet.
- You may be instructed to bring your scans to hospital.
What to Wear
Please remove all nail polish and make up. Leave valuables and jewellery at home. Wear loose clothing that you can easily fit over bulky dressings. Please ensure your feet and nails are clean.
Getting Home from Hospital
When it is safe for you to be discharged, you will need someone to take you home after surgery.
Pain Management
A local anaesthetic will be given to you at the time of surgery. It will provide you with pain relief for approximately 6-18 hours after surgery. As this wears off you will begin to feel tingling or pain in your foot. When this occurs, you should alert the nurses and you will begin taking oral pain medication as prescribed. Your Anaesthetist will provide you pain relief to take home. Your pain must be under control before you go home.
Dressings
- Dressings and casts must be kept clean and dry.
- When you have a shower, you will need to cover your foot with a bag and seal the top with tape. The hospital can educate you about this prior to your discharge.
- Dressings should remain intact until your 2-3 week review with Mr Goldbloom and the Wound Nurse Specialist, unless instructed otherwise.
- If your dressings become very blood stained, wet, too loose or too tight please contact Mr Goldbloom’s rooms to arrange the dressings to be changed.
Post-Operative Consultation
You will have a consultation with Mr Goldbloom and the Wound Nurse Specialist approximately 2-3 weeks after your surgery. Depending on your surgery and needs, you may require further review with Mr Goldbloom.
