what should I expect with foot surgery?

Question

next week i'm getting surgery on my foot/ankle. they are taking out a bone and reconstructing my foot. I've never had surgery before and I'm really nervous. Has anyone had something similar done before? What are the doctors going to do before and after the surgery? this is such a stupid question, but i'm really nervous about the anesthetic(Sp) and everything.
thanks!:)

Answer 1

You can expect your foot and ankle to be very sore after surgery, and you will most likely be on crutches for a while afterwards. You will be on pain medication to help control some of the pain. I haven't had a super similar surgery before, but in the past year and a half, I've had 6 surgeries ranging from spine surgery, to knee surgery. The doctor will probably come in and talk to your before the surgery, talk about what is going to be done etc. At this time you should ask him any questions/concerns that you have. You will also probably be meeting with the anetheseologist (the doctor that puts you to sleep) in which you will talk with them about your medical history, questions/concerns etc. They will probably start an IV before you go to sleep which is basically a poke and then they put a line into you...you will be rolled back to the OR, and probably put on the OR table and then you will start to get drowsy and drift off to sleep. When you wake up you will be out of surgery, probably drowsy, and sore. After you wake up for a while they will wheel you back to another recovery room where you will meet up with whoever came with you, and then you will be there for a while longer and then you go home (or if you are staying overnight they will wheel you up to your room). It's normal to be nervous! One of my surgeons told me that he'd be worried if I wasn't nervous because being nervous is totally normal. Try to not get too worked up about it though. Good luck!

Answer 2

Our son at age 16 had foot surgery that was the result of having Polio when he was 5 years old. The surgeon removed some bones, reshaped them and then re-installed them, this was on both feet. This was back in 1966, the procedure was so new at that time the insurance company would not pay the claim until the surgeon sent them exactly what was done and why. He missed the major part of his senior year and at his request he stayed another year. He was not in any pain that I know of but did not walk for about 4 months and then had to learn over again. He lived in a finished basement and I made a little cart for him to get to the 1/2 bath that was also in the basement. The surgeon should tell you everything that will happen before and after the operation and when you wake up it will all be over. I had a spinal operation that was just wonderful, they gave me a sleeping pill about 1/2 hour before and this was one you can't fight, when you wake up you don't remember anything. Good Luck.

Answer 3

First your question is not stupid. You are worried and that is normal. I've not had that specific surgery, but in general the doctors will come in and go over everything, the anesthesiologist, will discuss, what they are using, and make sure that you don't have any allergies. You will be given a mild sedative, and wheeled in to the OR, where you will be put into a state where you will not feel anything. Afterward you will wake up in a recovery room, and be tended to by a Nurse. After that follow the doctor's directions, and you should come through it all with no problem.

Answer 4

my mom had foot surgery to remove a bunyon (sp?) she was on crutches for a while and had quite a bit of pain..... she got through it though, she says the vicodin helped alot, maybe you should talk to a docter before the surgery to get the whole lowdown on everything and how patients usually react to that type of surgery!

I'll pray right now that you don't feel much pain and heal quickly! that was in no way a stupid question! Don't be nervous, those docters know what they're doing!

Answer 5

Foot surgery can be tough in recovery, because often folks try to walk on their foot too soon, or do too much too soon. I'd stress following the doctor's recommendations as far as when its ok to bear weight on your foot. Don't try to walk on your foot before the doc says its ok, and when you do start walking, take it slow!

Also, take medication, even if its just something like Motrin, around the clock (usually every 4-6 hrs) at least for the first few days. This helps decrease swelling, and most of your pain from a surgery like this is from swelling. Using ice packs and keeping the foot elevated can be a big help, too.

Definitely take your prescription pain meds if you need them too. Its easier to treat pain as it starts rather than to trying to get control of your pain after it gets too bad.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 6

they run a quick test on you to make sure you ok and then let you get settled and then you put your robe on and put you under youll be put asleep it will feel like you blinked when the surgeries over and the doctor will keep you overnight and make sure the surgery had no complications and youll be ok dont worry.