How to Get Around After Foot or Ankle Surgery

Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans undergo some form of foot or ankle surgery. From ankle fractures to bunion corrections to ligament stabilization, these procedures can be quite taxing and pose a serious challenge to an individual’s functional independence. Today, we unpack the most important considerations for lower body procedures including how to prepare for ankle surgery, how to get around after ankle surgery, and how to enhance your recovery.

When it comes to surgery, preparation is key.  Besides the obvious of choosing a top surgeon consider the following to get you set on the right foot:

1. Set up your environment to minimize risk and maximize mobility.
2. Find an assistive device that promotes maximum independence.
3. Be compliant with rehabilitation and weightbearing restrictions.

Recovery can be long and frustrating but give yourself some grace, ask for help when needed and remember the grass will be greener on the other side.  

Setting Up Your Environment for a Foot or Ankle Surgery

So your surgeon has been selected and the procedure is scheduled. Now what? The first step to any effective recovery is setting up your environment for success. In a recent retrospective study, the incidence of postoperative falls reported after a foot or ankle surgery was 39 out of the 135 individuals studied.  This staggering number shows the vital need to educate individuals on fall risk ahead of surgery and ensure modifiable risk factors are addressed.

Prepping for surgery? Scan over the list to mitigate your fall risk!

1. Food prep ahead of time to reduce prolonged standing required following surgery.
2. If available, move your bedroom to the first floor.
3. Remove any throw rugs to lessen chance of catching your foot.
4. Clear hallways of cords and other potential tripping hazards.
5. Install grab bars in the bathroom to ease toileting and showering.

Once your environment is set, you can focus on yourself and your recovery and fear less about the space around you.

How to Get Around After Ankle Surgery

The next step to success is figuring out how you will get around after surgery.  Perhaps the biggest challenge after any ankle or foot surgery is general mobility. With so many procedures requiring a 4-12 week non-weight bearing period, people are forced to rely on bulky crutches or wheelchairs to get around.  Stairs become nearly impossible and trying to negotiate a device while carrying something is downright out of the question.  

Enter the Freedom Leg, a hands-free crutch alternative that does just as its name entails gives you your freedom back post-surgery. Using a patented multi-strap suspension system and aluminum rails, the device offers surgical patients, amputees and athletes alike, a fully non-weight bearing position without requiring any upper extremity involvement.  Stairs become a breeze and carrying things has never been easier. Don’t let surgery limit you more than you already are. Set yourself up for functional independence with the Freedom Leg.

Compliance is Key

Once you have your Freedom Leg in hand, remember post-operative ankle and foot outcomes rely heavily on patient compliance including follow-through with rehabilitation and weightbearing restrictions. Your medical team is there to support you, guide you and to educate you on your road to recovery. Ensure that you are doing your part to facilitate healing as well.  

Post-Operative Recovery Tips

Elevate your leg when you can. Gravity is a wonderful thing but can exaggerate swelling in the operative foot following a lower leg procedure.  Elevation promotes the movement of blood and fluid back to the heart and minimizes post-operative edema and associated discomfort.

Keep yourself moving! Perhaps the best part of the Freedom Leg is it allows you to keep moving, promoting general circulation and cardiovascular health.  The device outweighs the competition by priming you to resume a normal reciprocal gait pattern as soon as healing and medical clearance allow.

Follow care instructions. Keep your incisions clean and dry, complete your physical therapy consistently and use pain medications as needed. The healing process takes time, but doing your part will expedite surgical recovery.

Ready to Get Going? 

Whether you came here searching for the best device for mobility, are looking for expectations post-ankle surgery or hoping to optimize comfort, look no further. The Freedom Leg is hands down the best option for non-weight bearing situations and is ready to help you regain your function and promote independence following your ankle or foot surgery.

Set yourself up for success and get your freedom back with the Freedom Leg today! Feeling more prepared for your surgery?