When it comes to the things you need to know before ankle surgery, you might think that you have everything covered. After all, you’ve met your foot and ankle surgeon, who outlined everything you should expect from your ankle surgery. All that’s left is to sit back and wait for the surgery…right?
Actually, there are many steps you can take to make your ankle surgery experience as seamless as possible. Let’s take a look at the top six things you need to know before ankle surgery (you’ll be surprised…we promise!):
Before ankle surgery, take a walk through your house and identify anything that may be a hassle to you while you’re on crutches. Clean up the main areas of your house and pick up anything you might trip over. Tackle any major household tasks so you won’t be tempted to do them after ankle surgery. Ankle won’t let you take care of household errands? Enlist a family member or friend to help you out.
Your mobility will be extremely limited, so taking care of normal errands and tasks might prove to be a major stretch during the aftermath of your surgery. You may want to prep a few weeks’ worth of meals that you can easily reheat. It’s a simple step that can really save you a great deal of hassle after your ankle surgery.
To reduce the amount of hassle you experience while recovering from ankle surgery, you may want to consider getting a knee walker before the actual surgery. A knee walker – or knee scooter – can greatly improve your mobility, which can make it easier for you to get around the house and the office.
You won’t be able to drive home after your surgery. If your foot and ankle surgeon hasn’t already done so, arrange for transportation after your surgery.
Arrange everything in your house so that it’s easily accessible. You might have a problem reaching for out-of-reach items, so bring everything closer for your convenience.
If you live alone or have special needs, you may want to consider having your doctor approve of a transfer to a special rehabilitation center. Talk to your surgeon before the ankle surgery to ensure you’re qualified to be transferred to a rehab facility. Sometimes it’s just as simple as asking!
Now that you’ve identified the top six things you need to know before ankle surgery, you’ll be able to worry less so you can think about the things that matter – like how you’ll enjoy your healthy new ankle!