After Surgery – Your Path to Recovery

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Healing and Rehabilitation: Supporting You Every Step of the Way

The period immediately following surgery is crucial for your healing and setting the stage for a successful recovery. Mr. Raman Sethi is dedicated to supporting you through every part of your post-operative journey, from managing pain and swelling to guiding your rehabilitation. We aim to ensure your experience is as comfortable and effective as possible.

Swelling Management (especially after Foot/Ankle Procedures)

Minimising swelling post-operatively is vital for optimal wound healing and comfort.

Rest : It's important to rest, especially after foot/ankle surgery. Consider taking one to two weeks off work and arranging help from family or friends for household tasks. Organising a short-term meal delivery service or house cleaning assistance can make a huge difference.
Elevation : This is a simple yet dramatically effective measure. When lying down, elevate your affected leg on a few pillows or cushions, ensuring your foot is above your heart. Using a stool while sitting on a couch can also be helpful.

Casts, Backslabs, Surgical Shoes, and Braces

After certain Foot/Ankle and Knee procedures, your limb will be placed in a temporary
plaster splint (backslab) or a surgical shoe. This provides rest in a comfortable and functional
position.

Longer-Term Support

If longer-term support is required, your plaster backslab will usually be replaced with a brace or custom cast after your follow-up consultation.

Keeping it Dry

While you have a plaster backslab on, it's crucial to keep it and any bandages dry. If your plaster inadvertently gets wet, please contact us immediately so we can arrange a review or earlier conversion to a brace.

Understanding Your Device

Your therapist will explain how to use your splint or brace properly – when to take it off, how to put it back on, and what exercises you can do. We find that the better patients understand their condition and rehabilitation, the better the results. If you are unsure at any point, please ask your therapist or Mr. Sethi.

Pain Management

If your pain is not adequately managed post-operatively, or if you are experiencing significant side effects, please contact the hospital where you had your surgery, and they can get in touch with Mr. Sethi. Some pain after surgery is normal and unavoidable, but modern techniques ensure it’s manageable.

Initial Pain Control

You may have had a nerve block placed by the anaesthetist or local anaesthetic around the surgical site. This is very effective for the first 6-12 hours.

Taking Analgesia

As the nerve block wears off, it's important to start taking pain medication as prescribed before the block completely wears off to avoid a sudden increase in pain.

Prescription for Home

Depending on your procedure, you'll receive a prescription for analgesia to take once you're home. Simple pain relievers like paracetamol and anti-inflammatories are often sufficient for minor procedures and can significantly reduce the need for stronger medications after more extensive surgery.

Stronger Analgesia

Stronger medications are very effective but can have side effects (nausea, constipation, confusion, sleepiness). We aim to minimise their use to limit side effects and prevent tolerance issues.

Dressings

When you're discharged from hospital, you'll have dressings applied to any surgical wounds. Mr. Sethi chooses very specific post-operative dressings to optimise wound healing while maintaining mobility and visibility of the surgical site.

Leave Intact : These dressings are designed to be left intact and undisturbed until your first post-operative review.
Contact Us if Concerned : Should you, your therapist, or your GP have any concerns about your dressing or wound before your first post-operative review, please let our rooms know immediately.
Antibiotics : Please do not start any antibiotics without first contacting Mr. Sethi – these can make the diagnosis of post-operative infection particularly difficult.

We are dedicated to supporting you through every part of your recovery and are always happy to discuss any concerns over the phone or schedule an urgent review if required.

Your Post-Surgery Follow-Up

Your follow-up appointments are usually booked even before your surgery and will be confirmed when you are discharged from the hospital.

FAQs

Is it normal to have pain after surgery?

Yes, some pain is normal and expected after surgery. However, with modern pain management techniques, it should be manageable. You'll be given prescriptions for analgesia to help control it. If your pain is severe or unmanageable, contact us immediately.

How can I best manage swelling after foot/ankle surgery?

The two most important things are rest and elevation. Keep your foot elevated above your heart as much as possible, especially during the first few weeks, and ensure you minimise standing and walking. Applying ice as directed can also help.

What should I do if my cast/dressing gets wet?

If your plaster backslab or dressing inadvertently gets wet, please contact our rooms immediately. It's important to keep them dry to prevent skin irritation or infection and to maintain the cast's integrity.

When can I start showering normally after surgery?

This depends on your specific surgery and dressings. You will be given clear instructions. Often, you'll need to keep your wound dry until your first post- operative review, which might mean sponge baths or carefully covering your leg/arm with a waterproof protector during showers.

When will I start physiotherapy after surgery?

The timing of physiotherapy varies. For some procedures, gentle exercises may begin very soon after surgery, even in hospital. For others, it might start after a period of immobilization, once the bone or soft tissue has had initial time to heal. Your specific plan will be discussed with you.

Questions About Your Post-Operative Care?

We're here to ensure your recovery is as smooth as possible. Contact Our Rooms for assistance or advice.