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follow up
patient to call next day - reassurance
dressing removed 2-3 days post-op
avoid tight closed footwear 1/52
review in clinic 7-10 days post-op
earlier if any problems
Notes:
Arrangements are made for follow up. The patient can be instructed to ring the next day to ensure there is not too much pain. The pain is usually worse on the day of the procedure and settles considerable by the next day. If there is increasing pain this is an indication that something may be wrong and the dressing should be checked and loosened then.
The dressing can be changed on the first postoperative day, but it is probably easier to remove 2-3 days after the procedure. If left longer the dressing often becomes smelly particularly if there has been infection.
After the postoperative review the patients are given further instructions about continued dressings. They should avoid tight footwear for probably a week and are advised on the way home to keep the foot up in the back of a car to reduce the risk of bleeding and to reduce post operative swelling and pain.