Home » Surgery » It can take up to 3 to 6 months for your foot to feel much better. It might take over a year for the swelling to go away and movement to improve. Remember to carefully follow your surgeon’s and physiotherapist’s advice about how to care for your wound, how much weight you are allowed to put through your foot, and what exercises you should be doing after surgery. By doing these things you will allow for the best possible result of your foot or ankle surgery. Taking care of your feet can help you to heal faster. Keep your feet clean and dry and your skin soft. Check your feet every day. If you see anything new, such as cuts, blisters, or changes in the colour of the skin, show your family doctor. Wear good walking shoes once the surgeon tells you that you can wear regular shoes. Good walking shoes or comfort shoes are made to support the bones and muscles of the foot in the right position, not just to look good. You might be able to get walking or comfort shoes at your regular shoe store, or if you have more complex needs, you might need to go to a special shoe store for people with foot problems.

You will know which shoes fit you best when you try them on but there are some things to look for when shopping for comfort shoes.Shower Caddy Hangs From Towel Rack Shop for shoes in the afternoon since your feet can swell later in the day. Beach Curtains At TargetOnce you get home, wear the shoes indoors for a day or two to make sure they are comfortable. Shower Heads TimersMost stores will let you take the shoes back if they do not fit well and you have not worn them outside. Before you buy the shoes, ask what their return policy is. If your doctor gives you a note saying that you need special shoes, you might not have to pay tax on your shoes. If you have trouble finding shoes that fit, go to a store with a certified pedorthist (trained shoe fitter).

Most people are not allowed to drive for some time after a foot or ankle surgery. How long you cannot drive for depends on what kind of surgery you had. You cannot drive while you are wearing a cast or walker boot on the foot that you use to drive. Your surgeon or physiotherapist will tell you when the cast or boot is no longer needed. This might mean that you cannot drive for 10 to 12 weeks after surgery. There are legal reasons why your surgeon cannot let you start driving as soon as you would like. Talk to your surgeon and physiotherapist before you return to driving. Refer to the Resources section of this website for information about ways to get around while you cannot drive. How long you will need to be off work while you heal is different for each person. It depends on your job, what kind of surgery you had, and how much pain and swelling you have after the surgery. Some people cannot go back to the same job after surgery. If you have problems from the surgery (such as your wound is slow to heal), you might need more time off work.

If a second surgery is needed because of problems, you might be off work for up to a year. Talk to your surgeon about your job before your surgery. Things to think about for returning to work: Before the surgery, talk to your boss and your surgeon about when you might have the surgery. Your surgeon might be able to change the date of your surgery to a time that is best for your work. Can you work while you are not allowed to stand on your foot? Even if you can, pain might still make it hard to work. Most people cannot work for at least three weeks after the surgery often as long as 3 to 4 months after major surgery. Try to arrange disability forms and payments before your surgery. If you have an extended medical plan, find out what will be covered before you have your surgery (such as paying your wages while you are off work, paying for physiotherapy or equipment). It is not recommended that you go on a holiday or travel for work for 4 months after foot or ankle surgery.

This is because you might not be covered by your travel insurance if you go outside of Canada within 4 months of having surgery. After 4 months if you travel by airplane, the metal screws or plates in your foot or ankle should not set off the alarm when you go through airport security. If they do set off the alarm, show the security officer the scars from your surgery and they will scan for metal with a special wand. You do not need a letter from your surgeon before you go through airport security. If you had a total ankle replacement, you might need antibiotics before you go to the dentist. This is to lower the risk of infection in your joint replacement. Not everyone who gets an ankle replacement needs antibiotics before they go to the dentist. Ask your dentist before you book your next visit. Your dentist will tell you how to get the antibiotics, if you need them. It will take a while for your foot to feel comfortable doing sports and other kinds of exercise. After minor surgery (such as ankle arthroscopy), you might be able to start doing sports sooner.

After major surgery, it can take at least 4 to 6 months for your foot to feel comfortable when you run or do other weight-bearing sports (such as tennis). You should only go back to doing these things if it is important to you and your surgeon has said you are ready. If you go back to sports too soon, you could damage your foot. If you have had an ankle replacement, you might not be able to go back to running and other sports. How to Select the Right Athletic Shoes Proper-fitting sports shoes can enhance performance and prevent injuries. Follow these fitting facts when purchasing a new pair of athletic shoes. If possible, purchase athletic shoes from a specialty store. The staff will provide valuable input on the type of shoe needed for your sport as well as help with proper fitting. This may cost a premium in price but is worthwhile, particularly for shoes that are used often. Try on athletic shoes after a workout or run and at the end of the day. Your feet will be at their largest.

Wear the same type of sock that you will wear for that sport. When the shoe is on your foot, you should be able to freely wiggle all of your toes. The shoes should be comfortable as soon as you try them on. There is no break-in period. Walk or run a few steps in your shoes. They should be comfortable. Always re-lace the shoes you are trying on. You should begin at the farthest eyelets and apply even pressure as you create a crisscross lacing pattern to the top of the shoe. There should be a firm grip of the shoe to your heel. Your heel should not slip as you walk or run. If you participate in a sport three or more times a week, you need a sport-specific shoe. It can be hard to choose from the many different types of athletic shoes available. There are differences in design and variations in material and weight. These differences have been developed to protect the areas of the feet that encounter the most stress in a particular athletic activity. Athletic shoes are grouped into categories: Running, training and walking.

This includes shoes for hiking, jogging and exercise walking. For a walking shoe, look for a comfortable soft upper, good shock absorption, smooth tread, and a rocker sole design that encourages the natural roll of the foot during the walking motion. The features of a good jogging shoe include cushioning, flexibility, control and stability in the heel counter area, as well as lightness and good traction. Includes shoes for tennis, basketball and volleyball. Most court sports require the body to move forward, backward and side-to-side. As a result, most athletic shoes used for court sports are subjected to heavy abuse. The key to finding a good court shoe is its sole. Includes shoes for soccer football, and baseball. These shoes are cleated, studded or spiked. The spike and stud formations vary from sport to sport, but generally there are replaceable or detachable cleats, spikes or studs affixed onto nylon soles. Track and field sport shoes. Because of the specific needs of individual runners, athletic shoe companies produce many models for various foot types, gait patterns and training styles.

Includes shoes for golf, aerobic dancing and bicycling. Includes shoes used for recreational activities such as hunting, fishing and boating. Choices, choices . . . When Foot Problems Develop A heel cup provides an effective way to alleviate pain beneath the heel (plantar fasciitis). Made of plastic or rubber, the heel cup is designed to give support around the heel while providing relief of pressure beneath the tender spot. An arch support (orthosis) can help treat pain in the arch of the foot. Made of many types of materials, arch supports can be placed in a shoe after removing the insole that comes with the shoe. A metatarsal pad can help relieve pain beneath the ball of the great toe (sesamoiditis) or beneath the ball of the other toes (metatarsalgia). Made of a felt material or firm rubber, the pad has adhesive on its flat side. Fixed to the insole behind the tender area, the pad shares pressure normally placed on the ball of the foot. This relieves pressure beneath the tender spot.