Ankle Surgery PostOp Protocol

Brett Young, M.D., Joe McCormick, M.D., Chris Prato, M.D., Daniel Metz, M.D. 1531 S. Madison Street, Appleton, WI 54915

Initial Care: Ice and elevation along with pain medication are the keys to initial pain management. You will be given a prescription for Vicodin or Percocet tablets. These medications contain Tylenol and a mild narcotic, and can be used every four hours as needed for pain. DO NOT use additional Tylenol products. Ibuprofen (Motrin) can be taken every six hours as a supplement. You will be sent home with crutches and non-weight bearing until your first appointment. Dressings: Keep the dressings dry for the first week by taping plastic over the ankle when showering. The sutures will be removed at the first office visit. Office Appointment: Your first office appointment following surgery will be arranged by the same day surgery center for approximately 7-10 days postop. Call the Affinity Orthopaedics office at (920) 996-3700 the following day to confirm your appointment. Physical Therapy: You will remain non-weight bearing until directed by your physician. Our goals initially will be to minimize ankle swelling. Elevate the ankle as much as possible. Ice should be applied for 20 minutes up to four times per day. Be careful to keep your dressings dry. When your physician allows a walking boot, begin performing range-of motion exercises three times daily with the boot removed. Work on ankle pumps, circles, and alphabet tracings to maintain a supple joint. At this stage, it is more important to increase range-of-motion than weight bearing. Use crutches & your boot until weight bearing is allowed, and continue to ice as swelling occurs. When your physician advances your weight bearing status, gradually begin putting weight on the foot while continuing to use crutches. Discontinue crutches on your own once weight bearing is pain free. If there is pain, continue to use crutches. As you become more comfortable with walking, ankle strengthening will be prescribed by your physician (via a trainer or physical therapist). This will include gait training, peroneal muscle strengthening and proprioceptive training. At 8-12 weeks, you can return to sports as dictated by strength, range-of-motion, and stability. A splint may be required to prevent further injury and control swelling. You can reasonably expect swelling to occur with activities for a long time (612 months). Emergencies: Please call Affinity Orthopaedics at (920) 996-3700. After hours, an Orthopaedic Surgeon is available by having the St. Elizabeths Hospital operator page the on-call orthopaedic physician. Please call the office sooner if your calf becomes excessively swollen or painful after the second postoperative day, or for any further questions.

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