para>This is a series of images showing how to care for your wound. They include washing your hands, having the doctor take out your stitches or staples, not removing the small pieces of tape over the wound, taking care of your dressing, and watching for signs of infection like pus or redness around the wound.View Original
This is a series of images showing how to care for your wound. They include washing your hands, having the doctor take out your stitches or staples, not removing the small pieces of tape over the wound, taking care of your dressing, and watching for signs of infection like pus or redness around the wound.
View Original
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor may put on a splint, special shoe, or boot to limit movement in your foot or toe while it heals. Wear this as ordered.
- Your doctor may limit how much weight you can put on your foot after surgery. Your doctor may teach you how to use crutches, a cane, or a walker to take pressure off your foot or toe. It is important to follow these instructions in order to heal properly.
- Prop your foot up on pillows to help with swelling.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- Ask your doctor if you should be putting weight on your foot when you walk.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to visit the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Prevent or fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
You may need to rest your foot for a while. You should not do physical activity that makes your foot pain worse as directed by your doctor. If you run, work out, or play sports, you may not be able to do these things until your doctor or therapist tells you it is okay to increase your activity. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding or blood clots
- Damage to nerves or blood vessels
- Numbness
- Pain that continues
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Pain or swelling gets worse
- Numbness and tingling get worse
- Foot or toe is cold and pale
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Where can I learn more?
American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ‚
http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/treatments/Pages/Ankle-Cheilectomy.aspx ‚
American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ‚
http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/treatments/Pages/First-MTP-Cheilectomy.aspx ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-08-19 ‚
List_set bdysylist
- Adult
- Neuromuscular and Skeletal
- Therapy (Occupational, Physical, Speech, etc)
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚