This information is to help you in your recovery after foot surgery. Please read this information carefully. Feel free to ask your doctor or nurse any questions about your recovery at home. You will receive further instructions at your post-op appointment. Please take your x-ray/ MRI/CT scans and other studies home with you.
These guides are not definitive and may not be exactly matched to your recovery. They should not be considered medical advice. DO NOT increase your weight-bearing status, discontinue use of your immobilization device (e.g. cast or walking boot), or increase your activity level (e.g. return to running, sports, drive, or attempt new strenuous activity) without consulting with Dr. Lutta first.
Rest, Ice and Elevation
Remain generally at rest. Apply ice over the dressing and elevate your foot “toes above the nose” for the first 48 hours to help with swelling. If using a Polar Care Ice Cooler, use for 30 minutes on and then 30 minutes off during waking hours. Dressings must be kept dry.
Medication
You may be prescribed some of the following medications. If you are, take them as directed.
- Toradol: one tablet every 6 hours with food for 3 days
- Tylenol #3: 1-2 every 4 hours as needed for pain
- Percocet: 1-2 every 6 hours as needed for pain
- Phenergan: 1 tablet every 4-6 hours for nausea or vomiting
- Colace 100mg twice a day while on narcotics
Pain Medication Tips
- Do not drive while taking pain medications.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking pain medications.
- Pain medication should be taken with food as this will help prevent any stomach upset.
- Often pain medications will cause constipation. Eat high fiber foods and increase your fluid intake if possible. To alleviate constipation, purchase a stool softener at any pharmacy and follow the recommended directions on the bottle.
Dressing/Showering
- Leave dressing intact until seen in office post-op. Slight bleeding through the dressing/cast is common. Reinforce the dressing/cast with 4×4 gauze pads and gauze wrap as needed.
- No baths, no hot tubs, no swimming. Cover your dressing/cast with plastic when showering.
Questions/Concerns
Your surgeon should be contacted by calling 703-810-5204, 24 hours a day for any of the following symptoms:
- Fever greater than 101 degrees F for more than 2 days.
- Numbness, loss of good color or coolness in the foot.
- Severe pain unresponsive to narcotic medication.
- Excessive bleeding or vomiting.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, CALL 911.
This information is to help you in your recovery after foot surgery. Please read this information carefully. Feel free to ask your doctor or nurse any questions about your recovery at home. You will receive further instructions at your post-op appointment. Please take your x-ray/ MRI/CT scans and other studies home with you.
These guides are not definitive and may not be exactly matched to your recovery. They should not be considered medical advice. DO NOT increase your weight-bearing status, discontinue use of your immobilization device (e.g. cast or walking boot), or increase your activity level (e.g. return to running, sports, drive, or attempt new strenuous activity) without consulting with Dr. Lutta first.
Rest, Ice and Elevation
Remain generally at rest. Apply ice over the dressing and elevate your foot “toes above the nose” for the first 48 hours to help with swelling. If using a Polar Care Ice Cooler, use for 30 minutes on and then 30 minutes off during waking hours. Dressings must be kept dry.
Medication
You may be prescribed some of the following medications. If you are, take them as directed.
- Toradol: one tablet every 6 hours with food for 3 days
- Tylenol #3: 1-2 every 4 hours as needed for pain
- Percocet: 1-2 every 6 hours as needed for pain
- Phenergan: 1 tablet every 4-6 hours for nausea or vomiting
- Colace 100mg twice a day while on narcotics
Pain Medication Tips
- Do not drive while taking pain medications.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking pain medications.
- Pain medication should be taken with food as this will help prevent any stomach upset.
- Often pain medications will cause constipation. Eat high fiber foods and increase your fluid intake if possible. To alleviate constipation, purchase a stool softener at any pharmacy and follow the recommended directions on the bottle.
Dressing/Showering
- Leave dressing intact until seen in office post-op. Slight bleeding through the dressing/cast is common. Reinforce the dressing/cast with 4×4 gauze pads and gauze wrap as needed.
- No baths, no hot tubs, no swimming. Cover your dressing/cast with plastic when showering.
Questions/Concerns
Your surgeon should be contacted by calling 703-810-5204, 24 hours a day for any of the following symptoms:
- Fever greater than 101 degrees F for more than 2 days.
- Numbness, loss of good color or coolness in the foot.
- Severe pain unresponsive to narcotic medication.
- Excessive bleeding or vomiting.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, CALL 911.
This information is to help you in your recovery after foot surgery. Please read this information carefully. Feel free to ask your doctor or nurse any questions about your recovery at home. You will receive further instructions at your postop appointment. Please take your x-ray/ MRI/CT scans and other studies home with you.
These guides are not definitive and may not be exactly matched to your recovery. They should not be considered medical advice. DO NOT increase your weight-bearing status, discontinue use of your immobilization device (e.g. cast or walking boot), or increase your activity level (e.g. return to running, sports, drive, or attempt new strenuous activity) without consulting with Dr. Lutta first.
Rest, Ice and Elevation
Remain generally at rest. Apply ice over the dressing and elevate your foot “toes above the nose” for the first 48 hours to help with swelling. If using a Polar Care Ice Cooler, use for 30 minutes on and then 30 minutes off during waking hours. Dressings must be kept dry.
Medication
You may be prescribed some of the following medications. If you are, take them as directed.
- Toradol: one tablet every 6 hours with food for 3 days
- Tylenol #3: 1-2 every 4 hours as needed for pain
- Percocet: 1-2 every 6 hours as needed for pain
- Phenergan: 1 tablet every 4-6 hours for nausea or vomiting
- Colace 100mg twice a day while on narcotics
Pain Medication Tips
- Do not drive while taking pain medications.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking pain medications.
- Pain medication should be taken with food as this will help prevent any stomach upset.
- Often pain medications will cause constipation. Eat high fiber foods and increase your fluid intake if possible. To alleviate constipation, purchase a stool softener at any pharmacy and follow the recommended directions on the bottle.
Dressing/Showering
- Leave dressing intact until seen in office post-op. Slight bleeding through the dressing/cast is common. Reinforce the dressing/cast with 4×4 gauze pads and gauze wrap as needed.
- No baths, no hot tubs, no swimming. Cover your dressing/cast with plastic when showering.
Questions/Concerns
Your surgeon should be contacted by calling 703-810-5204, 24 hours a day for any of the following symptoms:
- Fever greater than 101 degrees F for more than 2 days.
- Numbness, loss of good color or coolness in the foot.
- Severe pain unresponsive to narcotic medication.
- Excessive bleeding or vomiting.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, CALL 911.
This information is to help you in your recovery after foot surgery. Please read this information carefully. Feel free to ask your doctor or nurse any questions about your recovery at home. You will receive further instructions at your postop appointment. Please take your x-ray/ MRI/CT scans and other studies home with you.
These guides are not definitive and may not be exactly matched to your recovery. They should not be considered medical advice. DO NOT increase your weight-bearing status, discontinue use of your immobilization device (e.g. cast or walking boot), or increase your activity level (e.g. return to running, sports, drive, or attempt new strenuous activity) without consulting with Dr. Lutta first.
Rest, Ice and Elevation
Remain generally at rest. Apply ice over the dressing and elevate your foot “toes above the nose” for the first 48 hours to help with swelling. If using a Polar Care Ice Cooler, use for 30 minutes on and then 30 minutes off during waking hours. Dressings must be kept dry.
Medication
You may be prescribed some of the following medications. If you are, take them as directed.
- Toradol: one tablet every 6 hours with food for 3 days
- Tylenol #3: 1-2 every 4 hours as needed for pain
- Percocet: 1-2 every 6 hours as needed for pain
- Phenergan: 1 tablet every 4-6 hours for nausea or vomiting
- Colace 100mg twice a day while on narcotics
Pain Medication Tips
- Do not drive while taking pain medications.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking pain medications.
- Pain medication should be taken with food as this will help prevent any stomach upset.
- Often pain medications will cause constipation. Eat high fiber foods and increase your fluid intake if possible. To alleviate constipation, purchase a stool softener at any pharmacy and follow the recommended directions on the bottle.
Dressing/Showering
- Leave dressing intact until seen in office post-op. Slight bleeding through the dressing/cast is common. Reinforce the dressing/cast with 4×4 gauze pads and gauze wrap as needed.
- No baths, no hot tubs, no swimming. Cover your dressing/cast with plastic when showering.
Questions/Concerns
Your surgeon should be contacted by calling 703-810-5204, 24 hours a day for any of the following symptoms:
- Fever greater than 101 degrees F for more than 2 days.
- Numbness, loss of good color or coolness in the foot.
- Severe pain unresponsive to narcotic medication.
- Excessive bleeding or vomiting.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, CALL 911.