If you've been having trouble with your feet, you may be waiting for a specialist to perform some surgery and may be thinking about your life once it's all over. You will certainly be looking forward to an easier time and the return of full mobility, but you may also be wondering how to deal with the days and weeks immediately following the procedure. While your surgeon will undoubtedly be able to give you some specific details based on the operation in question, there are certain steps that you can take in any case. What should you do after foot surgery to help shorten the recovery curve?

Shoe Selection

To begin with, forget those designer shoes. You may certainly be able to return to your favourite pair once you're fully recovered but, in the beginning, you will need to avoid conventional footwear if you are to restore full health. Many of the fanciest shoes today have inflexible soles, elevated heels, tapered design and other factors that could aggravate the original problem if you're not careful. Some of these restrictions may have caused your problem in the first place, and you don't want to go through the same procedure again.

Pads or Socks

You may be able to use special pads or socks to help distribute the forces more effectively and cut down on the pressure. Metatarsal pads help to restore true function and reposition the pad of the foot to a place that helps to support bone structure.

Rehabilitation

While you should always defer to your surgeon or medical practitioner for precise guidance, you may find it useful to perform a variety of different rehabilitation exercises. Experts agree that mobility is important following surgery as in the worst-case scenario, full movement can be lost without it. Some of these exercises can help to stretch and extend parts of your feet, but you will need to start steadily and increase the range of motion as time goes by.

Good Hygiene

You must ensure that you exercise proper hygiene if you want to restore your feet to maximum health. Make sure that you cut the toenails carefully and regularly and inspect your feet for any imperfections, cuts or bruises. You can soak your feet in a recommended product and apply special medicated or pain-relieving cream if needed. You may also find it beneficial to use an antifungal powder in your footwear, especially if your feet tend to heat up during the day.

Specific Advice

Make sure that you talk with your surgeon about your specific treatment first and get their advice to help you recover.