Blog Three Steps to Simply Prepare you for a Foot or Ankle Surgery

Surgeries of any kind can be daunting, but when it's your foot or ankle involved, it is natural to be scared. Foot or ankle surgeries require patience for recovery, and at times, it can be frustrating to follow a lifestyle where you can't use your feet to perform simple tasks. 

No matter how complex a foot or ankle surgery is, you must be well-prepared before and after the surgery for a smooth transition. This might require you to make appointments, rent a knee scooter, buy orthopedic shoes, and more. 

Take a look at the list below to understand better the steps you should follow to simplify the preparation of orthopedic foot or ankle surgery. 

Before Surgery Preparation: 

Before the surgery, you must be well prepared. Visit your doctor a few days before the surgery and make a list of all the questions you might have. Questions such as what type of medication and equipment you will need after the surgery, what kind of herbal remedies you can try, and anything you might be worried about for the entire procedure. 

You should also consult your doctor if you need any testing before the surgery, such as getting an X-ray or EKGs. 

Suppose you take aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin), or Mobic. In that case, it is best to avoid them for a few days before the surgery as they increase the chances of excessive bleeding during the surgery. 

Steroids of different kinds should also be avoided as they slow down the wound-healing process. 

Nicotine is another substance you should avoid before surgery. Nicotine tends to slow down the blood flow to the affected ankle, which can severely impact the healing process. If the patient consumes nicotine, a foot that might take a week or two to heal will take months. 

You must list all the equipment and stuff that might help you recover faster and buy or rent them. Renting a knee scooter is a great option if your surgery is more severe and painful. On the other hand, if the surgery is minor, you can always opt for orthopedic shoes to help you recover. 

Another thing that many people worry about before surgery is when they should stop eating. It is recommended to stop eating 6-8 hours before surgery. So, if your surgery is in the morning, you shouldn't consume anything after midnight. That also means you can not have any fluids or bland food after this time and before the surgery. 

Post-foot surgery Preparations:

Being well-prepared for any circumstance that might arise after the surgery is just as important as being prepared for before-surgery complications. You must inform your employer of your surgery's updates if you have a job. For this, you can consult your doctor about how long it will take to recover so that you can take appropriate measures in the office. 

Your house should be clean, and your recovery space should be given special care. When you have just gotten out of surgery, you don't want to go to a house that requires cleaning. You will need an appropriate amount of rest to recover properly, which is why having a clean space is crucial. 

The essential component is resting as much as possible to speed up recovery. So, another way to decrease any extra load is by preparing meals before the surgery. Good and healthy food will only heal you faster, so you must consume food rich in fiber and vitamins. Often, ordering a takeaway is much easier than preparing a meal when you have a foot or ankle injury. This might not be the best solution every time. The stuff you eat from outside will not be of much nutritional value and thus wouldn't help with the recovery process, so it is best to stock up on healthy snacks and food to eat during your recovery. 

It is crucial to be well-prepared after the surgery. If you have pets or other family members to look after, make sure you have made all the necessary arrangements for them. Prepare food and other arrangements for your pets and loved ones. After the surgery, you may require assistance in the house as well. Don't hesitate to ask your family, friends, or neighbors to help out in the house or with your pets. 

You will require assistance depending on your foot or ankle injury complexity. Equipment such as knee scooters, orthopedic shoes, hand-held shower heads, raised toilet seats, and crutches are just some of the types of things you might need after surgery. Knee scooters and orthopedic shoes go a long way in helping you recover faster. 

Equipment for Recovery after surgery:

As mentioned above, depending on your ankle or foot injury severity, you must use technology to help you out. Knee scooters, orthopedic shoes, and crutches are just some examples of recovery equipment. 

It is best to consult your doctor on what will best suit your recovery. Knee scooters are a great piece of technology you can easily rent for your recovery. A knee scooter is an alternative to crutches and has the same usage. But, unlike crutches, knee scooters are easier to use, more flexible, and provide much more ease and comfort. Knee scooters are safer to use as well. A downside to renting a knee scooter is that they require space to maneuver around easily. If this issue doesn't bother you, then there is no reason why you shouldn't go for a knee scooter. 

Other equipment that can significantly speed up your recovery process is orthopedic shoes. Orthopedic shoes. Orthopedic shoes are for less severe injuries. These shoes are great for many reasons. Even if you are not recovering from foot or ankle surgery, these shoes can be a great addition to your collection. Orthopedic shoes are made to help you walk better and are designed to accommodate the foot after injuries. 

Conclusion

Foot or ankle surgeries can greatly impact your day-to-day life. Anything that affects your walking and ability to move around will cause complications and discomfort. You need to take special care of your foot to recover fast. Care includes making sure you are well-prepared before and after your surgery. Ensuring you have support present at all times is also crucial because you never know when you might need help. Having equipment that might help speed up the recovery process is also crucial. 

Your ankle or foot surgery is going to be tough. Make sure you are prepared well to avoid complications during, before, or after the surgery. 

Sky Medical Supplies is your first choice to rent wheelchairs or transport chairs, knee scooters, and Hoyer lift, in green valley ranch Montebello; we serve the colorado population around Denver Parker Littleton, Boulder, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Englewood, Denver Tech Center, Aurora, Broomfield, Castle Rock, Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, Longmont, Westminster, Englewood, Lone, Golden, Arvada, Wheatridge, Brighton, Thornton, Elizabeth, Franktown.Tree, Lakewood, Erie, Superior, Lafayette.