When should i be concerned about swollen feet after surgery? (2024)

When should i be concerned about swollen feet after surgery?

If patients are worried about the amount of swelling, the swelling is accompanied by increased pain or redness, or if the swelling is significant and paired with calf tightness or tenderness, the patient should call their surgeon's office immediately to discuss their symptoms to determine if more testing, such as a leg ...

When should I be concerned about swollen feet after surgery?

While the above symptoms can be expected after surgery, the below symptoms should prompt you to seek medical attention as soon as possible: A sudden increase in swelling. Noticeable and discolored discharge in the area of swelling. A change of skin color around your incision.

How much swelling is too much after surgery?

Most of the time, swelling is an expected and natural part of the healing process. Tell your doctor if you have swelling following surgery and: Swelling increases suddenly. There is noticeable discharge.

How do I know if my foot swelling is serious?

Contact your provider right away if: You have heart disease or kidney disease and the swelling gets worse. You have a history of liver disease and now have swelling in your legs or abdomen. Your swollen foot or leg is red or warm to the touch.

How much swelling is too much?

If your swelling is chronic, or lasts longer than 2-3 weeks, you should see your doctor. Your doctor will be able to recommend medication, exercise or therapy to resolve the swelling. Remember, swelling is the body's reaction to an injury; if the swelling is still present, so is the injury.

Why are my feet swollen two weeks after surgery?

Swelling is normal after surgery. As the body begins healing itself, thousands of cells are sent to the affected body part. This is part of the first stage of healing called the inflammatory phase. The influx of all of these cells to the area causes more swelling.

Why is my foot still swollen 3 weeks after surgery?

After foot surgery, the most common complication is foot swelling. Unfortunately, we can not change gravity, and this usually pulls all the fluid into your feet as you stand. The increase in fluid after surgery is most prominent in the toes and can last from 1- 6 months after your surgery date.

How do you get rid of swollen feet after surgery?

Why is my foot still swollen 8 weeks after surgery?

Note postoperative swelling can be persistent. Once one or several techniques are done to reduce it, an effort has been made to maintain this because the swelling tends to want to keep coming back. This will happen until several weeks or longer have gone by and additional soft tissue and/or bone healing has occurred.

Does drinking a lot of water help with swelling after surgery?

You can consume up to 8-12, 8-oz glasses of water a day, to keep your body properly hydrated and reduce the swelling. Adhere to a healthy diet. Your body will need to do some repair after surgery to rebuild the tissues and promote wound closure.

How long is too long for a swollen foot?

Swelling in the ankles, feet or legs often goes away on its own. See a GP if it does not get better in a few days.

What happens if swelling in feet does not go down?

But if it persists, you likely need to see a doctor because swelling (also called edema) can be a red flag for a more serious underlying problem, such as heart failure, deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a leg vein), kidney disease, or cirrhosis of the liver.

Should I walk if my feet are swollen?

Try to keep the swollen area higher than the level of your heart. Take breaks from standing or sitting in one position. Walk around to increase the blood flow in your lower legs. Move your feet and ankles often while you stand, or tighten and relax your leg muscles.

What stage of heart failure is swollen feet?

At what stage of heart failure does edema happen? Swollen feet can happen at any stage of heart failure, but worsening edema may mean that heart failure is becoming more severe.

How do you make swelling go down fast?

When should swelling stop?

There's no easy answer to this question. Some injuries swell for only a few days while others stay swollen for weeks or even months. This timeline depends on the severity of your injury and the steps you take to manage it. Other factors can impact swelling time, too.

What is the best medicine for swelling after surgery?

Medical treatment may be needed for severe swelling, such as dexamethasone, prednisone and other oral steroids. Steroidal treatment can improve post-surgical edema within 24 to 48 hours. Researchers believe that corticosteroid administration can lead to faster recoveries and reduce swelling.

Can you elevate your foot too much after surgery?

Yes, it is possible to elevate an injury too much. Elevation is a technique commonly used to treat many musculoskeletal injuries ranging from foot fractures to tendinitis in your knees. Elevating injuries in your legs or arms can encourage blood flow to inflamed tissue and reduce swelling.

How long should I elevate my legs to reduce swelling?

Body positioning — Leg, ankle, and foot edema can be improved by elevating the legs above heart level for 30 minutes three or four times per day. Elevating the legs may be sufficient to reduce or eliminate edema for people with mild venous disease, but more severe cases require other measures.

What foods to avoid when you have swollen feet?

Foods that are regularly eaten such as processed, refined, and salted may increase the chances of developing swollen feet. Foods that are made with a large amount of sugar and fats such as vegetable oil may also be linked to having swollen feet.

What foods reduce swelling after surgery?

Vegetables and fruits. As with any diet, fruits and vegetables are recommended, especially dark leafy greens. Other good foods include red onions, broccoli, pineapples and apples, and capers to decrease swelling faster.

Is swelling a month after surgery normal?

It should be noted that residual swelling can linger for months. Most of the time, it is a natural part of the healing process and isn't anything to worry about. But, if you notice a sudden increase in swelling, discharge, or issues with your incisions, be sure to consult with your provider.

Why is my ankle still swollen 7 months after surgery?

Swelling and numbness

You can expect this to last 6 months to 1 year depending on the type and complexity of the surgery you had, your age, weight and other medical problems. Most frequently this will resolve. Limb elevation, ice, compression socks and active range of motion can help with the symptom of swelling.

What is the best fluid to drink after surgery?

Water helps keep these infections away and acts as a catalyst to your recovery. Furthermore, water helps your body get rid of toxins from the anesthesia. So drinking water post-surgery can be very helpful in all aspects of recovery.

What speeds up healing after surgery?

Vitamin C – Some research shows that Vitamin C and zinc can help with healing, so eat the recommended amount of fruit each day. B12 and Iron – Iron and B12 both aid bone marrow in forming new blood cells, so incorporate foods like fish and eggs.