How To Prepare Your Home Before Foot Surgery

When symptoms of conditions like plantar fasciitis, bunions, and Achilles tendon disorders aren’t alleviated with therapy or other initial treatments, foot and ankle surgery may be necessary. Since anesthetics are used, the procedure has minimal pain and discomfort. But you will need some time to recover fully.

As your mobility may be impaired after the surgery, preparing your home before the procedure is crucial. Here are some tips to help you with recovery:

Ask for Help in Advance

After a foot and ankle surgery, moving around on your own will be tough, making simple tasks like preparing meals and cleaning the house virtually impossible. So, as soon as the procedure is scheduled, reach out to a friend or family member who can help while you’re recovering at home. Doing so will also help you focus on caring for your feet and getting as much rest as possible to ensure a smooth recovery.

Create a Living Space on the Ground Floor

Using the stairs after foot surgery poses a safety risk. So, if your bedroom is on the second level of your home, utilize the living area or an extra room on the main floor instead. Take note that there should be enough space to move around comfortably and accommodate assistive devices you might use, like crutches or walkers.

Ensure your essentials are within reach in your new living space, so you won’t have to get up too often. These include your medicine, phone, laptop, tv remote, charger, and drinks and snacks. Besides that, hazards like uneven flooring or slippery rugs should be fixed and removed to prevent risks of tripping or slipping on them. Lastly, clear pathways from clutter and install proper lighting to avoid accidents. 

Stock Up on Supplies and Necessities

Since it will be difficult to go out whenever you need to after the surgery, it’s best to stock up on all the necessities beforehand. Aside from the prescribed medication and other necessary tools for your recovery, ensure you have enough food, drinks, snacks, toiletries, and other essentials usually unavailable for delivery.

Consult a Trusted and Reliable Foot Doctor

Being prepared after a foot and ankle surgery is essential to ensure a smooth and fast recovery. If you experience persistent pain or other symptoms of your foot condition, consult a podiatrist to determine if you need surgical treatment. Contact Thomas Podiatry & Associates at Salisbury, MD for more information.