Information for Those Who Decided to Have Their Feet Operated
The following information must be taken into account:
- A foot surgery implies correction of current deformities while the risk of developing them again remains;
- Hospitalization – is performed after a preliminary examination (in a polyclinic);
- Anesthesia is done on the anesthesiologist’s recommendation; usually it is spinal (including sleep);
- The surgery implies fixation of bones with screws; they can be either regular (removed by repetitive surgery in 3-4 months; free) or special intraosteal (they are not removed; paid through bank);
- The stitches are removed in 13-14 days after surgery;
- If needed, bandages are replaced but not more than 2 times a week;
- Patients on paid surgeries stay in the inpatient clinic for 5-14 days, patients on free surgeries – 14-15 days;
- It is recommended to wear post-operative shoes (Barouk shoes) for 4-6 weeks after the surgery;
- The operated foot can be washed only in 2 days after the stitches are removed. Don’t apply any ointments on the scars;
- In two or three days after the removal of stitches, the operated toes are trained – movements with the help of hands, up and down only;
- After the swelling goes away completely (1.5 – 3 months) it is necessary to order individual insoles (supinators) – ready insoles are useless. They must be worn constantly.
- Any surgery leads to certain limitations which you should get used to for 1-1,5 months till the swelling goes away; in rare cases the swelling can remain for 3-4 months;
- The swelling will go away much faster if you follow the regime, especially within the first 2-3 postoperative weeks. The main rule is to avoid lowering the legs and walking;
- Driving is allowed only in one month and a half;
- It is not recommended to go back to work earlier than in a month after the surgery (the period depends on the complexity of the type of surgery);
- In some cases it is necessary to wear additional gear – an intertoe insert, a supporting device for 2-3 toe and others
- Three or four-centimeter heels can be worn only in 3 months after the surgery, six-centimeter heels – in 6 months. However one should note that the more pointed the toe and the higher heel, the more possibilities of exacerbative deformities;
- Contratubeks ointment can speed up dispersion of cicatrices but it must be used within a year. Most cicatrices get smaller and paler in the this period themselves;
- Sometimes one surgery is not enough for eliminating all deformities and two or three surgeries might be needed;
- If the condition is not serious, it is more logical to have both feet operated at once;
- After the surgery, weightlifting and also overweight can contribute to flat-footedness and further deformation;
- Moderate physical exercise is allowed in 3 months; fully-fledged physical activity is allowed only in 6 months;
- According to statistics, complications are possible only in 2% of cases (as complications are typical of any kind of surgery);
- Feet are going to swell in the beginning; after the toe gets into the right position, your shoe size can get bigger.
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