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Cheilectomy
Please keep your foot elevated above your heart as much as possible for the first few weeks after your surgery.
Pre Hospital
- If you have your own X-rays please take them to hospital
- No food, drink or smoking for 6 hours prior to surgery (you may have sips of water up to 2 hours prior to surgery)
- Even if having local anaesthetic we still ask you to fast
- Notify The Clinic for Foot & Ankle Surgery if you have any cuts, abrasions or skin problems on the leg to be operated on.
Hospital
- Usual stay: Day Surgery
- Supplied with post-operative shoe which is worn for 6 weeks. this shoe is designed to allow heel weight-bearing but reduces the weight across the operated forefoot
- Weight-bear as able
- Ensure you have a postoperative appointment on discharge.
What to Expect
- Swelling - This is to be expected. Minimise this by keeping your foot elevated above your heart
- Pain - You will receive a prescription for pain medication on discharge. Pain will be minimised by keeping your foot Elevated
- Bleeding - This always occurs. You may notice some oozing through the bandages. If this continues in large amounts please contact The Clinic for Foot & Ankle Surgery. Keeping your foot elevated will minimise the bleeding.
Post Operative care of your Foot
- Rest - Bed for the first two to three days with your foot Elevated above the level of the heart. The foot should be elevated on 3 to 4 pillows
- Mobilise only as necessary - Toilet and shower only. Do not put weight on the operated leg
- Ice - An iced filled plastic bag placed over the foot or resting the foot on the bag helps ease pain and swelling
- Pain medication - Take oral analgesia as prescribed when necessary
- Do not wet dressing
- Do not remove dressing.
Post Operative Appointments
7 - 14 Days
- Dressing removed and changed
- If necessary sutures are removed and ends trimmed
- Bring a wide-fitting comfortable soft shoe to wear if able. If you are not able to wear this shoe continue to wear the post-operative shoe
- Continue to elevate and rest leg as much as possible
- From 2 weeks post-operatively, begin to gently move the toe joints to increase the range of motion. This should be performed gently for 3-5 minutes, three times each day. Physiotherapy supervision is sometimes arranged but usually unnecessary.
6 Weeks
- Wound Review
- Check range of movement in toe.
10 - 12 Weeks
Expect
- 3 months to be fair, 6 months to be good, 12 months to be right
- 6 months for all swelling to cease.
Please understand that the post operative course varies with individuals and these are guidelines only.
If you develop a fever associated with an increase in pain and a discharge from the wound please call The Clinic for Foot & Ankle Surgery, also if you have any further questions.
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