You had ankle surgery. This surgery is done for a variety of reasons. You and your healthcare provider discussed your condition and the surgery before the procedure. Here are instructions that will help you care for your ankle when you are at home.
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Plan to stay on the first floor of your home as much as possible for the first week or 2 after the surgery.
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Arrange your household to keep the items you need handy.
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Remove electrical cords, throw rugs, and anything else that may cause you to fall.
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Use nonslip bath mats, grab bars, a raised toilet seat, and a shower chair in your bathroom.
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Use a cane, crutches, a walker, or handrails until your balance, flexibility, and strength improve. And remember to ask for help from others when you need it.
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Free up your hands so that you can use them to keep balance. Do this by using a fanny pack, apron, or pockets to carry things.
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Follow the weight-bearing instructions given to you by your healthcare provider. They will tell you how much weight you are—or are not—allowed to put on your ankle.
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Do all exercises you learned in the hospital, as instructed by your provider.
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Don’t drive until your healthcare provider says it’s OK. And never drive if you are taking opioid pain medicine.
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Follow your provider's instructions regarding care for your dressing, splint, or cast. A supportive dressing, splint, or cast may be applied after surgery to protect your ankle as it heals.
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An ankle splint, cast, or bandage that has become wet
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Sensation that the splint or cast is becoming tighter, especially if you have pain with movement of your toes, numbness or tingling, or a sudden increase in pain
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Swelling in the foot, ankle, or calf that is not relieved by raising the foot
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Fever of 100.4°F (or 38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider
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Shaking chills
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Increased pain with or without activity
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Drainage, redness, or warmth at the incision
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An incision that opens