If you have had foot or ankle surgery, you want to heal properly. Follow-up appointments with our podiatric surgeon are essential. Dr. Elizabeth Hofmeister and Dr. Rebecca Hodulik at Prairie Rock Foot And Ankle Clinic in Manteno, IL, provide a full range of podiatry services, including foot, ankle, and toe surgery.

What You Need To Know About Foot and Ankle Surgery

You might need foot or ankle surgery if you have:

• Arthritis and some common surgeries for arthritis include joint fusion, joint replacement, and bone realignment
• Diabetes and some common surgeries for diabetes include wound care, ulcer treatment, or amputations
• Plantar Fasciitis and a common surgery for plantar fasciitis is to release a tight tendon
• Trauma and some common surgeries you might need include reconstruction and realignment of broken or dislocated bones or repair of damaged soft tissue
• Bunions and a common surgery is bunion removal, known as a bunionectomy

Any of these surgeries will likely involve an extended period of recovery. Follow-up appointments with your podiatric surgeon can help ensure you are healing well so you can get back to your active life as quickly as possible. During a follow-up appointment, your podiatric surgeon will:

• Examine the surgical area, looking for signs of infection or delayed healing
• Assess your level of flexibility, range of motion, and mobility
• Determine the next steps in your recovery

The next steps in your recovery may include the following:

• Medications and other treatments to decrease swelling and pain
• Physical therapy to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility
• Self-care tips to help you heal at home

The surgical area may continue to be tender for 3 to 4 months after your procedure. You should contact your podiatric surgeon if you are experiencing:

• Severe foot or ankle pain that isn’t relieved by medications
• A fever and lymph node tenderness in your groin area
• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• A bad reaction to your medications

Want To Know More About Foot and Ankle Surgery?

To learn more about the importance of follow-up care after foot surgery, call Dr. Hofmeister and Dr. Hodulik at Prairie Rock Foot and Ankle Clinic in Manteno, IL. You can reach them in the office by calling (815) 468-7117, so call today.