After Surgery
Recovering After Surgery
Jarred and his team stay involved well beyond the operating theatre. This is general guidance for the days and weeks after your operation — your specific plan will be tailored to your procedure.
The First 1–2 Weeks
The most important part of any foot or ankle operation is the first one to two weeks. Getting the wound to heal cleanly, and avoiding early complications, is the first step in the whole recovery process — it's what every later stage, including physiotherapy and your return to activity, is built on.
“Toes above the nose”
Elevation and rest are the single most effective things you can do in these early days — but elevation means properly lying back with the foot raised above heart level. Recline on a couch or bed with the foot supported on pillows so it sits higher than your heart. This reduces swelling, which in turn reduces pain and discomfort. Combine this with regular icing to help settle swelling further.
Pain Relief
The best pain relief is adequate rest and elevation — the more the limb is left down with gravity, the worse the swelling and pain will be.
- First line — regular paracetamol. 1g (two 500mg tablets) up to four times a day (maximum 4g in 24 hours). This is the foundation of pain control and should be taken regularly rather than only when pain becomes severe.
- Second line — anti-inflammatory medication. Ibuprofen 200–400mg up to three times a day with food, for around a week postoperatively before reassessing. Check with the rooms or your GP first if you have kidney disease, a history of stomach ulcers, or certain heart conditions.
- Third line — opioid painkillers, as required only. Prescribed to cover the initial, most uncomfortable period, used for as short a time as possible, weaning off as pain allows.
- If you're struggling. If you're running low on medication, or having significant difficulty controlling your pain, contact the rooms during business hours — this is not something you need to manage on your own.
Blood Thinners & DVT Prevention
A period of reduced weight-bearing raises your risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A period of blood-thinning medication — a daily injection, a tablet, or aspirin — is routinely prescribed to reduce this risk; the choice and duration depend on your individual risk factors and will be discussed with you.
Keep moving your toes and ankle regularly, and stay well hydrated, to support circulation.
Wound & Scar Care
Every surgical scar goes through overlapping healing stages — redness and swelling in the first 1–2 weeks, a pink and slightly raised phase from around 2–6 weeks, then gradual flattening and fading over several months. Full maturation typically takes 12–18 months, though most visible improvement happens within the first 6 months.
0–2 Weeks — Protect
Leave the dressing intact and dry. Don't touch, rub, or apply anything to the wound. No soaking (baths, pools, spas).
2–6 Weeks — Desensitise
Once fully sealed, begin gentle scar massage and a fragrance-free moisturiser.
6 Weeks–3 Months — Mature
Continue daily massage, start silicone gel or sheeting if the scar is raised or red, and use strict sun protection.
3–6 Months — Refine
Colour continues to fade and texture softens. Continue silicone and sunscreen until pale and flat.
New scars pigment easily — cover with SPF50+ or clothing whenever exposed to sun for at least 12 months, even once it looks pale.
Download the full Scar Management guide (PDF) →Returning to Work & Activity
Recovery is gradual, not immediate. Rather than returning to full activity in one step, work back up in stages — each stage should feel comfortable before moving to the next. There's no fixed timeframe that suits everyone; your own pace is guided by how your foot or ankle responds, not by a calendar.
Stage 1 — Protected function
Basic daily movement within the limits set for you (weight-bearing status, boot or brace use).
Stage 2 — Light activity
Short periods of standing, walking, or light duties, increasing gradually as symptoms allow.
Stage 3 — Moderate activity
Longer periods on your feet, more complex movements, most normal daily and light work tasks.
Stage 4 — Full activity
Return to full work duties, sport, and unrestricted activity.
Some discomfort with new activity is normal — it's the duration and trend of any pain that matters most. Brief, settling discomfort is usually fine to work through; pain that is significant or drags on beyond the activity itself is a sign to ease back.
Desk-based work
Reasonable approach: Start with shorter days or a supported seated setup; elevate the foot at breaks.
When to pull back: Increasing swelling by mid-afternoon that isn't better by the next morning.
Standing / walking-based work
Reasonable approach: Begin with reduced hours or more frequent breaks; build up time every few days.
When to pull back: Pain increasing across the shift, or discomfort still present the next morning.
Return to sport or running
Reasonable approach: Gradual reintroduction — shorter, lower-intensity sessions first, increasing in small increments.
When to pull back: Pain during the session that doesn't ease quickly, or soreness still present 24–48 hours later.
Driving
Driving an automatic after left-sided foot and ankle surgery should generally be avoided for the first one to two weeks while you're still taking strong opioid painkillers. Return to driving after right-sided surgery depends on the procedure — you cannot legally drive while wearing a postoperative cast, surgical shoe, or boot, so this will be discussed individually based on your recovery.
Swelling & Sensation Changes
Some degree of swelling, mild numbness, or altered sensation around the surgical site is normal and can persist for up to 6–12 months after any foot or ankle operation. This reflects ongoing healing and increased blood flow to the postoperative region, and is not itself a cause for concern.