Have all prescriptions filled and take medications as directed at the first sign of discomfort
Place a bag of ice on top of your ankle for the first 6 hours; the apply ice 20 minutes of every hour that you are awake for the first 3 days. It is recommended to continue applying ice 20 minutes four times a day after the first 3 days. More often if you are ambulating throughout the day.
Never walk without a surgical shoe or walking boot unless otherwise instructed. If you were instructed to use crutches it is recommended that you also where the surgical boot when doing so.
Walk only as directed.
Elevate feet 6 inches above your heart, with a slight bend in the knee, when icing the first 3 days. Placing the pillow at the foot of the bed when sleeping is recommended.
Keep all bandages dry and in place. They will be changed at your post-operative appointments.
Do not sit with your feet down, or legs crossed, for any length of time.
Eat a regular diet as tolerated. Increase fluid intake when returning home from the surgical center.
Abstain from tobacco and alcohol use. Not doing this will slow healing significantly.
Call Dr. Auger if any of the following occurs – problems with medications, nausea or vomiting; toes are white or blue; the bandage come off or is completely soaked in blood; if you injure the area; if medications do not control pain.
Take 600 mg of ibuprofen for mild pain every 8 hours in addition to your prescriptions for pain; take this with food. Some patients choose to use only ibuprofen for pain relief.
If you had surgery on bones that needed fixation please take 500 mg of Calcium four times a day with food. Also take 5,000 IU of Vitamin D daily with food even if your calcium has vitamin D.