Recovering from foot and ankle surgery: what to expect - Online interview

Are you set to undergo either foot or ankle surgery in the near future? If so, this interview that we have conducted with leading Southampton-based consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Mr Togay Koç, could have all the key snippets of information you need.
00:00 What can patients do to aid their recovery in the weeks following surgery? Is there anything that they should prepare beforehand?
06:34 Is there anything that should be avoided during this period?
09:04 How long is bed rest required following foot and ankle surgery?
10:58 How do patients begin walking or being active after this type of surgery?
14:15 Once the initial healing period has passed, how can patients ensure they are supporting their foot or ankle well as they return to normal activity?
To schedule a consultation with Mr Koç, visit his Top Doctors profile: www.topdoctors.co.uk/doctor/t...
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[@m.taylor]

I wish I had watched this earlier when I was in a cast because my ortho doc did not give any info. I had to figure out so much on my own and through youtube.

[@paulkoss6401]

This is SUPER HELPFUL, Thank you!

[@vikithomasson7772]

Your presentation was absolutely awesome! I’ve been trying to find useful information for HOURS on the internet until I found u! I think u actually answered questions I didn’t even know I had!! Thank you!!

[@cr3237]

I'm about to have surgery on my ankle in 48hrs and this was helpful.

[@stardresser1]

This is SUPER HELPFUL, THANK YOU! I am facing an an ankle operation with 2 different corrections on one procedure...its been hurting me for YEARS. This video not only gives me the courage, preparation and knowledge, but also faith that can get through it all. I am 60, and still have a 9 yr old to raise. The juice is worth the squeeze, and this will go a LONG WAY in helping me to get ready. I really really appreciate it, so much. Thank you!

[@alejandrasoccer1]

Thank you so much, this video was so helpful!

[@traceyconner6095]

Thank you for this. Much more info than I received from my Doctor.

[@user-qv5ky5hc4q]

This has been so helpful. Thank you.

[@Rastelle7]

This is very informative and very factual according to my experience! I am still recovering. Merci beaucoup!

[@gracie_c]

Thank you for the very detailed sharing. It really helps me to understand alot!

[@MsGnor]

Thank you Sir! Just had emergency surgery on double break & dislocation of my ankle (no health insurance). Very relieved to find your video guide, thanks very much! Good recovery to everyone else 😍

[@amarsalam7350]

Excellent advice thank you very much

[@puquilinares]

¡ Muchas gracias! Greetings from Argentina.

[@LynetteNelson399]

This is such a fantastic video thank you!

[@b.bgs2036]

This is a great presentation. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

[@zoraidaolmo6194]

Thank you so much for this information. Just had left bunion surgery today and will use your recommendations which were not listed in my hospital discharge papers. I will also share with my doc.

[@xxk3rd196]

This was MAGNIFICENT. Thank you Doctor. Allah bless you InshaAllah for goodness for you and family.

[@richvail7551]

Thank you for this information. I’m on day 2 and was concerned about my recovery but I know now that my experience is in line with proper recovery. That alone is a great thing to have for recovering at the right pace.

[@joyceprendergast9270]

Thank you so much for the tips. Having hallux rigid us surgery Friday morning.. 🙏😉

[@meredithmermaid1026]

Great information for those of us going through foot/ankle surgeries. I'm four months out from having a posterior tibialis tendon tear in my left foot {flat foot}which needed extensive surgery, grafting, and hardware. Also had bunionectomy. I had an Orthopaedic Podiatrist surgeon perform the surgery in mid September. Everything Dr. Koc states is basically what my Dr told me before, during and after surgery for my situation plus more. I'd say the worst thing I hated was sleeping with the cam boot for 5-6 weeks! It helped wearing a pillow case over it and securing it, which helped from getting snagged on the sheets and blanket but it was so freeing once I was able to take the boot off at night to sleep! One thing I didn't think to do for swelling of my foot which I just read on another thread is a foot bath with epson salt as I'm a few weeks out walking an hour a day without the cam boot, in a sneaker, dealing with the swelling at night. Duh! I just ordered a foot spa from Amazon and getting it tomorrow and can't wait to soak my foot/feet! I've also been doing dry brushing which helps stimulate the lymphatic system. If you're not familiar with it, read up on it. Wishing all the best to those going through the surgery. Patience is golden although not easy going through the recovery process. Fortunately, I'm retired and my husband was/is there every step of the way dealing with my frustrations. I still have months to go as it can take a good 6 months to a year for me to get back to normal, whatever that may be but seeing improvement more and more every day, week. My only fear now is that my right foot tendon doesn't tear and having to go through this again. I've been wearing foot wear and orthotics from Orthofoot which helps with the over pronation on that foot hoping it will help from tearing. Best of luck to all of you.

[@daynacase8528]

Where do you do the lymphatic “brushing” in what areas of the body? I’m getting ready to repair broken bones in my ankle, surgery today.

[@Aylaire]

Thank you very much!!!

[@cynthialowery5705]

Great video, thanks!

[@212helpdesk]

WOW, thank you soo much. I asked my hospital for something like this but (almost) nothing. I'm saving this info. I just want an idea of what I am in for during this process. My doctor is like a factory of mass production so they are very busy doing the work which is great, it means they have a lot of practice doing these procedures, but now a days customer service has turned into self help or self serve. I am starting my 4th week post of, heel surgery after a wc accident. I'm told my injury is one of the worst that can happen to somebody's foot. Thanks again. I will continue doing my research while listening to the words of my actual surgeon.

[@RP-co7rc]

Excellent explanation

[@Swing161]

Thank you for your information

[@Saffy1999]

I am really impressed that you mentioned Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. I suffer from this … my main and most mainput site is in my right hand. This was caused by a crush injury in October 2018 after my mobility scooter tipped off of the pavement onto the a busy main road, right in front of a car. I spent nearly 3 weeks in Hospital and after MRI/CT scan, Nerve Conduction Studies, X rays, anti Biotics (as my arm had swollen doubt its; size by the following morning) and physio, my COnsultant, having ruled everything out and examining me announced I had CRPS. Sadly this has spread to my bladder, and I an under investigation as to see what is causing ongoing pain from a collarbone break and subsequent operation to be fitted with screws and plates which happened in 2016. I also have this moderately, in my right foot. I broke this foot in four places in in 2020 and have had nothing but trouble. My Surgeon refused to operate privately saying we would get a better outcome working together with my Pain Team at the hospital he is operating at and is going to keep me in hospital longer and keep my foot in a radial block longer than normal in the hope that when he eventually starts to let it ease off it will lessen the chance of the CRPS spreading. I have been warned though … of the risk … that it could make my CRPS a lot worse, or that it could make it so bad I would be desperate for amputation, but he doesn not believe in that in CRPS as the pain is still there and I quite understand this,. Wish me luck. Operation is booked 22nd September 2022

[@geselagrendel630]

Nice doctor thanks for the information 😊

[@juliaparker5253]

This is super helpful, I had open reduction and fixation surgery of ankle 5 days ago and its good to get a timeline on when I will be mobile again…looks like late summer. The first 4 days after surgery were so very painful but its much less now.

[@westfield90]

How are you doing now 3 months removed?

[@fortheloveofbrum3106]

Thank you Mr Koç. Super helpful. Packed with information and tips I can use and really well delivered. Love the question at the end ……. Is the juice worth the squeeze ? 🤔 also love “Tea, Toast and Toilet”😂

[@heather54101]

Thank you so much for your video-- trimalleolar fracture with ORIF surgery. 2 plates, 10 screws. It's hard to get detailed, quality information on the healing process. Great tips.

[@yvettemundo6283]

Thank you for this information ❤

[@DavidsOutdoors]

I had two ankle arthroscopic surgeries (the first one failed). I can walk but I can not run, ride bikes, scuba dive or lift weights. I got injured when I was 26 and I'm 34 now. 😔

[@HarikrishnandIceman]

Thank you

[@jeanlee28]

Hello, doctor! Thanks a lot for all this information to stay healthy and safe during the period of recovery. I am on my 7th week after my fifth metatarsal fracture repair surgery. I am a runner, so I feel so frustrated staying cooped up inside for all these weeks. My podiatrist told me to graduate from using crutches and knee scooter as of the 5th week, so now I am able to slowly walk around the house and do some chores wth no swelling but a little bit of achiness in my operative foot. What I really wanna know is when it will be safe for me to resume running? Would I be able to ease into running by the end of December (which is more than 8th week point after surgery)?

[@stillsake]

thank u

[@carolineconway9151]

Tri--Malleolar ORIF here, not quite 5 weeks ago. 100% weight bearing, back to work (I'm a teacher), take my boot off to drive (right leg). My knee hurts more than the ankle right now., I just don't have the time nor the ability to sit on my backside and wait this out.

[@bilhudaningpenggalih319]

Omg, i had the same surgery 9 weeks ago, and still non weight bearing, I have to wait another 3 weeks, and i am so worried that i won't be able to walk normally after that. May i aks how is your healing going now? And can you walk without any assistance?

[@katzche]

@@bilhudaningpenggalih319 I am walking after 4 weeks. I live alone and in the country so I'm not afraid of other people knocking into me. I listened to what my body told me I could do and did everything very slowly and carefully, still do. Seeing MD in a week. No assistance. You will be fine.

[@bilhudaningpenggalih319]

@@katzche thankyou so much, that's very reassuring :)

[@katzche]

@@bilhudaningpenggalih319 Hi How are you doing? Better I hope.

[@aparnamukerji1485]

This is so wonderful to hear. I am sick worried I have bimalleolar ankle fracture

[@robs1714]

5 mo. Anniversary from my trimal surgery today, on a cane now and doing some modified air squats but still this crazy bad impingement on my dorsiflexion if I go to far … all I want to do is barbell squats ☹️ … my entire leg weakened ALOT to the point of which my knee joint got loose (12 weeks no weight bearing)

[@lizhecht9965]

Great information, thank you very much. My juice was squeezed on 7 Oct so good timing to see this, especially elevation level and icing. I wasn’t given specific advice about elevating and given none about icing, though it had crossed my mind as the foot has been quite swollen since the op. Now have ticks in both boxes. Should my dressing be plastic, which it is, or just covered?

[@tota8064]

Is it ok for the calcaneus fracture to take more than 6 months to fully heal? It was treated conservatively, so without a surgery.

[@stillsake]

I had surgery for one screw to be placed in my leg but idk know how long it’ll take to heal

[@comodice905]

When should I stop using ace wrap

[@westfield90]

Six weeks after surgery for a distal tibia and fibula spiral break right above the ankle. With rod in the tibia from the knee and plates and screws on the distal end. However except for the toes, the foot and ankle is still massively swollen and looks like a club foot.. Is that normal. The stitches have been removed and no dressing or cast. How long before the swelling goes away? Always had the foot elevated

[@michelledrinning2493]

Is it ok 2 do house work when U recover from a left ankle Arthroscopy

[@toolegittoquit_001]

‘Stepwise’. 😎

[@agnieszkapyzowskalisek6189]

I have fractured my ancle on the 17 of February. I had surgery the next day, l had plaster for six weeks. Now l am out of plaster and l started rehabilitation since three weeks. I have question how long it will take me to walk normally?

[@annafekete9313]

It takes forever to heal. Iam 4 months after surgery and finally walking but still not limping.I still go to physical therapy.

[@kingsyph3102]

Hi.. i am from Nigeria. Thank you for the video.. am super glad to see this video hoping it will be helpful to me in time to come.. please i had an ankle injury on my right leg one month ago and the big bone (Tibia) came out of my flesh causing a big wound, while the small bone (fibula) got broken. But after the surgery the (fibula) have been fixed with some irons to keep it strong while it heals which was stitched with no visible wound but the (Tibia) was fixed back to it usual position and was stitched a little which closed only 10 percent of the wound leaving 90 percent of it opened. Because the doctor said is not good to stitch it all closed because the flesh that the bone popped out from was already dead before the surgery so he cut them off meaning i have to wait for the flesh to grow again.. please my QUESTION IS: can i do these exercise while the wound is still open and not yet totally healed or should i wait till the flesh wound is totally healed before i start this exercise? Please a Quick reply will be so HELPFUL 🙏. i am in need of the help. Thank you.

[@divalarue]

Where did the patient get her pillow that is elevating her ankle?

[@margaretstechly7144]

Amazon has great ones

[@renzofficial2435]

Doc good evening me ask my ankle malleolar February 13 surgery

[@tommyewhitworth4531]

HELP ME after 3 years i live in pain 24 7 its made my hips and back hurt so bad WHY

[@daynacase8528]

Dietary question; Does bone broth aid in bone recovery?

[@stephanies3246]

11:42 Gradual weight bearing instructions.

[@scarroll625]

I’d love to listen to this guys recommendations, but I had to get back to work after 4 days. Stitches aren’t even out yet and I’m back to work. This is what happens when you own your own business

[@GSPDUKE]

Make sure your ankle surgery is appropriate for the injury. Some MDS go rouge with this injury. I had closed fractures in ankle and it was never told to me that my Fibula was going to be cut. These doctors can be so patronizing and make sure the guy you hire is going to perform your surgery. I don't give a damn about training a resident. These guys can ruin your life, so be forwarned with your ankle injury and second opinions are suggested..

[@patricianichols5809]

I have hardware in my ankle i want get removed. Please contact me i have question

[@chefbob09]

meh, trimalleolar break, surgery, never stopped smoking, full weight bearing after three weeks.

[@bbqsauce2865]

Fractured my fibula two weeks ago and getting surgery this week

[@ColleenBlackArt]

I had surgery, and was out for 6 MONTHS. My question what is the difference with just getting a cast. It seems like the medical field is going BACKWARDS. I wish I would have NOT listened to a doctor and just healed on my own. I have nerve damage from surgery, I can't move like I used to and the healing is MUCH longer. My feeling is that this is a medical scam.

[@michelleboicey8702]

I wish I had found this b4 surgery. But even post opt, is super helpful(esp. in regards to reintroducing weight bearing & vitamin info!! I’m gonna get on D& C game asap! Thank you. ❤️‍🩹

[@MINIANDSODA]

I had a screw put in the bone of my ankle