Foot surgery for bunions, bone spurs, or hammertoes can greatly improve your quality of life. Depending on the purpose and extent of your foot surgery, your recovery may be brief or it may take months before you completely heal. To promote optimal healing, your foot surgeon in Bolingbrook may recommend the following post-operative tips.
Avoid Smoking
Your foot surgeon in Bolingbrook may recommend that you avoid cigarette smoking while recovering from your surgery. Smoking can damage the small blood vessels in your lower extremities which can result in poor circulation and blood flow to your surgical incision. This not only delays the healing process but may also heighten your risk of developing a postoperative surgical wound infection. If you are unable to completely quit smoking, at least try cutting down.
Ice Instead of Heat
While the application of heat may soothe your foot discomfort following your surgery, it may actually promote inflammation and increase your pain. Because of this, your foot surgeon may recommend applying an ice pack to the affected area. Ice not only helps decrease pain, but it also helps reduce inflamed soft tissues.
Never apply ice directly to your bare skin because this can cause tissue damage and frostbite. As you progress in your recovery, your doctor may allow you to apply a heating pad to your foot for soothing comfort and to enhance circulation. For more information, please visit Business Name.
