• IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN XRAYS 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.

• PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY CUTS, ABRASIONS OR SKIN PROBLEMS ON THE LEG TO BE OPERATED ON. IF YOU DO, PLEASE INFORM A MEMBER OF THE NURSING STAFF OR MR CALDER'S SECRETARY.

• USUAL STAY - DAY SURGERY TO TWO NIGHTS

• 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.

• MAY HAVE A PIN PROTRUDING FROM YOUR TOE this is normally removed at 4 weeks.

1. SWELLING - This is to be expected. Minimise this by keeping your foot ELEVATED above your heart.

2. PAIN - You will receive a prescription for pain medication on discharge. Pain will be minimised by keeping your foot ELEVATED.

3. BLEEDING - This always occurs. You may notice some oozing through the bandages. If this continues in large amounts please contact Mr Calder's secretary. Keeping your foot ELEVATED will minimise the bleeding.

1. 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.

2. MOBILISE ONLY AS NECESSARY - Toilet and shower only. Do not put weight on the operated leg.

3. ICE - An iced filled plastic bag placed over the foot or resting the foot on the bag helps ease pain and swelling.

4. PAIN MEDICATION - Take oral analgesia as prescribed when necessary.

5. DO NOT WET DRESSING

6. DO NOT REMOVE DRESSING

• Dressing removed and changed.

• If necessary sutures are removed and ends trimmed.

• Continue to ELEVATE and rest leg as much as possible.

• From 14 days you may shower and allow the foot to become wet but do not allow it to become soaked (i.e. do not sit with it in the bath). 'Dab" dry the skin rather than rub with a towel.

• From 2-3 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. (This is obviously NOT the case if you are undergoing a fusion procedure of the great toe for hallux rigidus / arthritis).

• Wound checked and dressing changed

• External pin or pins removed

• You may allow the foot to become wet at 48 hours

• Continue to elevate your foot as much as possible

• Wound review

• X-ray may be necessary

• Bring soft shoe to wear home

• '3 months to be fair, 6 months to be good, 12 months to be right" - Dr T Saxby, Brisbane, Australia.

• 6 months for all swelling to cease.

Please understand that the post operative course varies with individuals and these are guidelines only.