Post Op Instructions

Cam Walker

You were provided with a cam walker or walking boot before your surgery, which should have been worn before leaving the hospital. The cam walker can be occasionally removed, such as when applying ice or when moving your ankle up and down, as well as moving your great toe. For the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, it is recommended to sleep with the cam walker to maintain a splinted position of your ankle at a 90-degree angle. Whenever you are walking or your foot is in contact with the ground, you should always wear the cam walker. This footwear should be worn for a duration of 3 weeks following your surgery. After 3 weeks have passed since your surgery, you can then transition to wearing a running shoe.

Applying Ice

The utilization of ice is crucial for effectively managing swelling after your surgery. To apply ice, gently place an ice pack directly on the bunion site over the gauze bandages that were applied post-surgery. It is recommended to remove the cam walker while applying ice to your foot. Ice can be applied for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, followed by a 30-minute break without ice. While you are awake, you can repeat this process every hour, although icing several times a day should generally suffice.

Controlling Swelling

It is a normal occurrence to experience swelling following surgery. Elevating your foot is an effective way to minimize this swelling. The standard practice is to educate patients about elevating the foot above the level of the heart in order to reduce swelling. To illustrate this, think of gravity acting as a tool that aids in the reduction of swelling. By elevating your foot, the excess swelling can drain out of your foot, move up your leg, and reenter the circulation of your body for removal. If you feel that your foot is not elevated high enough to facilitate proper blood flow back into your legs, raising it further will be beneficial. It is important to maintain elevation whenever you are not up and actively moving around.

An Ace bandage is a versatile tool that can effectively address swelling. When you receive an Ace bandage after surgery, it can be skillfully applied, beginning at your toes and gently wrapping upward towards your knee. This technique effectively facilitates the reduction of swelling in your foot by promoting fluid drainage. Regularly removing and reapplying the Ace bandage throughout the day proves to be highly beneficial in mitigating swelling.

Bandages/Stitches

A light bandage will be applied after surgery. If you see mild bleeding through the gauze (rare) there is no need to be concerned. The bandages do not need to be removed and will be changed by Dr. Campitelli in the office at your first follow up visit in 3-5 days after surgery. You do not need to changes the bandages!

The stitches are absorbable but will be on the outside of your skin, so they will not dissolve quickly. They can be removed in the office or you can leave them in to dissolve on their own!