4 Questions to Ask Before Surgery

Nobody wants to hear that they need surgery to correct a toe, foot or ankle problem but sometimes it is the only solution. Surgery may be done to correct a variety of disorders, including: bunions, fractures, hammertoes, flatfeet, heel spurs and Neuromas. At Southern Maryland Foot & Ankle we want to make your surgical procedure as smooth and easy as possible. We encourage you to talk to our board certified foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Larry Hotchkiss, about any concerns you may have about an upcoming surgery. Here are some questions you might want to ask:

1. Is the surgery outpatient? Many podiatric surgeries can be done in the foot doctor’s office or on an outpatient basis at a local surgical center.

2. What type of anesthesia will be used? That will depend on the type of surgery. For many outpatient procedures sedation, local anesthesia or a combination of both may be used.

3. How long will I have to wait after surgery to resume my regular activities? Usually for the first two weeks after surgery your foot doctor will want some degree of immobilization and will use bandages, splints, casts, or surgical shoes to achieve this. Limited weight bearing on the foot will also likely be recommended along with icing and keeping the foot elevated. You will also need to keep the area dry until the sutures are removed.

4. What other post operative treatment will be required? Post surgical treatment will of course vary depending on the operation and the patient, but most of the time, the podiatrist will want you to follow up with some kind of physical therapy or physiotherapy. In addition, modifications to your footwear or the use of orthotic devices may also be recommended.

It’s important that you go into your podiatric surgery feeling comfortable and confident. If you have questions about an upcoming surgery, contact our Waldorf or Clinton office by calling: (301) 868-3899 or (301) 843-9581.