Patients must follow their doctor’s instructions carefully during recovery to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications.
The following should be adhered to in order to hasten your recovery from foot surgery. In general, the following timeline can be expected:
1. PNA + Phenolisation Procedure
Immediately after surgery: When you get home lie down and place your feet above your heart until the local anaesthetic wears off. This will prevent the throbbing pain that tends to occur when individuals walk around and continue to engage in activities while numbed up and the agent wears off.
The first few days: Keep your foot clean and dry. You can resume daily activities. You may take a shower if tolerated.
Rest – 3-4 hours (minimal weight bearing for essential things only like bathroom breaks 5-10 minutes maximum per hour)
Walk – immediately (movement limited outside of house)
Driving – immediately (for any hospital procedures under general anaesthesia, you cannot drive until after 24 hours when you are off narcotics. Therefore, you will need someone to drive you home from hospital)
Return to sedentary work – 1-2 days (If you work at a desk with minimal time on your feet and you are able to elevate your foot/feet)
Return to active work – 3-7 days (If you have a physical job or are standing a lot and unable to elevate your foot/feet)
Low impact exercise – 2-3 days (slow walking, cycling, golf using a caddie)
High impact exercise – 2-4 weeks (fast walking, running, jumping, playing sport)
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2. Winograd Procedure
Immediately after surgery: When you get home lie down and place your feet above your heart until the local anaesthetic wears off. This will prevent the throbbing pain that tends to occur when individuals walk around and continue to engage in activities while numbed up and the agent wears off.
The first few days: Keep your foot clean and dry until your follow-up appointment. Until suture removal, you are required to keep your foot clean and dry. (You may take a shower after 12 hours, but you need to cover your foot and not get it wet).
7-10 days: Follow-up clinic appointment for suture removal post-surgery.
You can resume daily activities but may have some pain.
Rest – 12 hours (minimal weight bearing for essential things only like bathroom breaks 5-10 minutes maximum per hour)
Walk – immediately (movement limited outside of house)
Driving – 24 hours (You will need to organise transport after surgery)
Return to sedentary work – 1-2 days (If you work at a desk with minimal time on your feet and you are able to elevate your foot/feet)
Return to active work – 3-7 days (If you have a physical job or are standing a lot and unable to elevate your foot/feet)
Low impact exercise – 5-7 days (slow walking, cycling, golf using a caddie)
High impact exercise – 2-4 weeks (fast walking, running, jumping, playing sport)
Nail surgery is considered very safe although not without risks/complications.
Some possible complications may include infection, pain, recurrence, swelling. Patients should contact their surgeon if they experience excessive pain, see signs of infection, see a presence of pus, or have excessive swelling and pain.
