• 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)

• 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 ONE TO THREE NIGHTS

• ½ PLASTER BACKSLAB DRESSING FIRST TWO WEEKS

• PHYSIOTHERAPY TO MOBILISE NONWEIGHTBEARING ON CRUTCHES

• ENSURE YOU HAVE A POSTOPERATIVE APPOINTMENT ON DISCHARGE.

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 7 - 10 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.

• Fibreglass cast applied. (Click here for information on care of your cast)

• Remain non weight-bearing, using crutches unless instructed otherwise.

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

• Cast removed

• X-ray if a bony procedure has been performed (eg calcaneal osteotomy)

• Physiotherapy referral

• Weight-bear as instructed

• You may bath and shower as normal but 'dab" dry any wounds rather than rub with a towel.

• Final review

• 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.