Before leaving the hospital, you will be given specific discharge instruction for wound care, driving, activity level, medication, and any further restrictions necessary. Your healthcare provider will also let you know of symptoms that require immediate medical attention.

You will also be given pain medication as it is normal and expected to have mild to moderate foot pain for several days. This pain is normally relieved by pain medicine.

It is also important that you plan on being driven home with the help of a relative or a friend, as you should not drive for at least 24 hours following your procedure. However, if you have a cast on your foot, driving may be delayed for several weeks.

You are encouraged to keep your foot elevated above your heart for the first few days after surgery to limit swelling. Your doctor will inform you of when you can bear weight on your foot or if you should use crutches. Your doctor will also give you a general timeline for returning to regular shoes.

The first follow-up visit with your doctor will be approximately one to two weeks after your surgery. Your stitches will be removed between one to three weeks.

When pins are used to hold the fusion together, they are removed in approximately 8 weeks or when the bones have healed. This is done with a local anesthetic in a simple and relatively pain free procedure.