ROSEMONT, Ill., Aug. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Your doctor has recommended surgery for your foot or ankle problem, and you’re looking for the best possible outcome. Your orthopaedic foot and ankle specialist is looking for the best outcome too, and now there’s a three-part online series to help you get there. Following steps recommended by the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) both before and after surgery can help you avoid complications and heal as quickly as possible.
For example, much of the preparation for a successful procedure starts before the day of surgery, say orthopaedic foot and ankle specialists. Medical testing should be done prior to surgery, including blood tests and a chest X-ray, to confirm your health is good enough for surgery.
For some patients, medications must be stopped. Drugs such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can increase bleeding during surgery. Some over-the-counter medicine and herbal supplements may also have to be stopped.
In addition, patients who smoke should stop before any foot or ankle surgery. Smoking before or after surgery can increase the risk of complications and slow healing time, so your orthopaedic foot and ankle specialist will encourage you to stop smoking well before surgery. Your surgeon or your primary doctor can offer advice and resources for how to quit.
Other tips in the series include a guide to what to bring to the hospital the day of your surgery, discussion of who you will meet from the surgical team, and what to expect when you are home and recovering.
To learn more about how to prepare before surgery and how to manage the day of and immediately after, consult the new three-part series on “How to Prepare for Orthopaedic Foot or Ankle Surgery” at FootCareMD.org. FootCareMD.org, the patient education site of the AOFAS, offers comprehensive articles on foot and ankle conditions and their treatments.
About the AOFAS
The AOFAS promotes quality, ethical and cost-effective patient care through the education, research and training of orthopaedic surgeons and other health care providers. The Society creates public awareness for the prevention and treatment of foot and ankle disorders, provides leadership, and serves as a resource for government and industry as well as the national and international health care communities.
About Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons are medical doctors (MD and DO) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the foot and ankle. Orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons use medical, physical and rehabilitative methods as well as surgery to treat patients of all ages. Relying on four years of medical school training, five years of post-graduate training and often a fellowship in orthopaedic foot and ankle care, orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons perform reconstructive procedures, treat sports injuries, and manage and treat trauma of the foot and ankle.
