What to expect after foot or ankle surgery.

Common conditions for foot and ankle operations include ankle fractures, ligament reconstructions and tendon repairs such as Achilles tendon repairs. Surgery is only part of your recovery, rehabilitation through physiotherapy and exercises is fundamental in achieving a good outcome. Recovery timelines will vary depending on the type of surgery performed but a physiotherapy rehabilitation program is often essential for achieving the best long-term outcome.

After surgery, patients will normally experience:

-          Pain and discomfort

-          Swelling around your foot and ankle

-          Reduced ankle mobility and stiffness

-          Muscle weakness and wasting of muscle

-          Balance deficits and reduced stability

-          Difficulty walking, climbing up and downstairs

-          Running and return to sport difficulties

Physiotherapy aims to help with these challenges by managing pain and swelling, aiming to restore ankle strength and mobility to at least pre-operative standards while improving balance and confidence and supporting a safe return to work, exercise and sport.

Key aspects of how physiotherapy will approach your post-operative recovery will be based on the type of surgery and healing rates. Rehabilitation programs will be tailored to the individual procedure and recovery goals. We work closely with your surgeons to ensure the best outcome for every individual.

We encourage people to contact their physiotherapist or surgeon if they experience:

-          Increasing pain or swelling

-          New or unusual symptoms

-          Difficulty progressing with rehabilitation

If you have recently undergone foot or ankle surgery, the team here at Woollahra Physiotherapy can guide you through every stage of your recovery. We have specialised strength testing equipment and an onsite gym and Pilates studio to help you return to the activities you enjoy with confidence while rebuilding mobility, strength and function.

By Ella Waite