My expectation of your foot surgery will be to return you to your normal levels of activity, but without the pain or discomfort that your foot problem is causing.  If you can run a marathon now then I will expect you to run one after your surgery.  I also expect your foot to look good after surgery, as generally a foot that looks cosmetically pleasing is also a foot that works well; form and function go together.

The following time line will apply to the recovery from most foot surgery:

Days 1-4	Minimal activity, heel weight bearing only.  Go from bedroom to lounge to bathroom.  You will need to be looked after.  Your foot will be supported by a large dressing and you may need crutches
End of:
Week one	Foot flat to floor, may be off crutches and gently pottering around at home.
Week two	Removal of dressings and stitches, aim to be back into soft shoes.  You will be allowing the weight to move into the toes.
First month	‘Socially’ fit and able.  You will be able to go out and about and see friends quite well but you will need to put your feet up now and then.  If you work in an office this should be fine as long as you pay attention to your work patterns.  The average patient can now drive.
Second month	You can spend most of the day on your feet but you will be tired by the end of the day.  Most sports can be started except full contact.
Month three	Patients say that they can do most things fairly normally but they cannot wear all their shoes at this time.  This is because the foot will still be a little swollen but this is now beginning to noticeably recede.

It will take the average person six months to forget that their foot has had an operation.  This is because the foot will still be a little swollen and probably tired at the end of a long day, particularly if you have had to stand for a long time.  It will take this time to be able to wear all of your best shoes.

- Getting better after surgery

- Complications

- Post Operative Advice

- F A Q

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