• Foot Conditions

  • Ankle and Achilles Conditions

  • Sports Injuries

  • Keyhole Surgery

HomePatient InfoRehabilitation After Injury or SurgeryAnkle Rehabilitation

Ankle Rehabilitation

After Foot or Ankle Surgery Rehabilitation
Achilles Tendon Problems (Tendinopathy) Rehabilitation
Achilles Tendon Repair Surgery Rehabilitation
Achilles Insertion Reconstruction
Ankle Arthroscopy Rehabilitation
Ankle Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation
Ankle Microfracture for Cartilage Injuries Rehabilitation
Ankle Sprains

After Foot or Ankle Surgery Rehabilitation

Once in the recovery area of theatres you will awake from the sedation or general anaesthetic or, you may have been awake throughout the procedure. Your foot and ankle will be elevated and have a bandage or plaster around. An anaesthetic block will have been Read More…

Achilles Tendon Problems (Tendinopathy) Rehabilitation

Failure of the Achilles tendon to repair itself following injury. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body which connects the calf muscle to the heel. It may be Insertional (where it inserts into the heel bone) or Non-Insertional (in the mid portion of the tendon) Read More…

Achilles Tendon Repair Surgery Rehabilitation

Plaster front slab placed on while under anaesthetic, in minimal equinus (foot pointing down)
Touch-weight-bearing mobilization with 2 crutches
Regular pain relief as required (Eg. Paracetamol, Coedine and Diclofenac) Read More…

Achilles Insertion Reconstruction

The Achilles has been detached and the large piece of bone from the back of the heel, removed. The Achilles is then reattached. Read More…

Ankle Arthroscopy Rehabilitation

Arthroscopy is a type of keyhole surgery where the internal structures of a joint is examined for diagnosis and treatment. This is in contrast to an ‘Open’ procedure, involving a much larger incision. During the examination, one or more small incisions are made in the Read More…

Ankle Microfracture for Cartilage Injuries Rehabilitation

A key hole operation using 2 small cuts has been performed (arthroscopy). This allows a small telescope and instruments to be placed inside the ankle. The damaged and loose articular cartilage (and bone) on the end of the bone has been removed Read More…

Ankle Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation

Following ankle arthroscopy, the Anterior Talo-Fibula Ligament (ATFL) and/or Calcaneo-Fibula Ligament (CFL) are reconstructed by tightening the tissue by detaching, advancing and reattaching them with bone anchors or sutures Read More…

Ankle Sprains

Sprain is characterized either by stretching or tearing of ligaments, which connect adjacent bones in a joint and provides stability to the joint. An ankle sprain is a common injury and occurs when you fall or suddenly twist the ankle joint, or when you land your foot in an Read More…

 

What Operation has been Performed?
A key hole operation using 2 small cuts has been performed (arthroscopy). This allows a small telescope and instruments to be placed inside the knee. A number of procedures can be performed using this technique, depending on what is required in your knee. A tear in the meniscal cartilage can be removed (meniscectomy), loose pieces of cartilage taken out (loose bodies) or cartilage stimulating procedures performed (microfracture).

Rehabilitation
You can walk after the operation as soon as you are comfortable, which is normally within a few hours. Once you have been assessed by a physiotherapist and are deemed sa fe (with or without crutches), you can go home the same day. Someone will need to pick you up.

Day of the Operation at Home
You will experience some discomfort and should take pain killers, such as Codeine with Diclofenac. These should be taken regularly (3 – 4 times/day) especially before physiotherapy or exercise sessions. There may be some swelling in the knee and if so, place ice (or frozen vegetables) on the knee for 10 minutes in every hour, especially before and after physiotherapy or exercise sessions.

Day after the Operation, Bandage, Dressings and Showering
24 hours after the operation, you can remove the bandage and wool around the knee yourself. Underneath will be 2 waterproof dressings. Keep these dry for 3 whole days after the operation. On the 4th day you can have a shower, taking care not to soak the dressings although they can get wet. Avoid a bath until Mr Gordon has seen you in clinic at 10 days to 2 weeks to review your wounds.

Physiotherapy and Exercise
You can place your full weight th rough the knee and bend and straighten it as much as you feel comfortable. You cannot damage the knee. This should start as soon as you are comfortable, on the day of surgery. More formal exercises or dedicated physiotherapy can commence between 1 and 3 days after the operation.

Driving
You need to be able to control the vehicle in an emergency. Can you stamp your foot down on the ground? For left sided surgery and no clutch is required, driving is probably safe after a few days post operatively. Fo r right sided surgery, driving is probably safe at 2 weeks post operatively. You should check with your insurance company. If you are unsure, please ask Mr Gordon.

Returning to Work
Sedentary jobs: Return after 3 days
Standing/walking jobs: Return after 1 – 2 weeks, but may be sooner depending on comfort and swelling
Manual/labouring jobs: Return after 2 – 4 weeks, but may be sooner depending on comfort and swelling

Out Patient Visits to see Mr Gordon
2 weeks–to assess wound healing
6 weeks–to assess pain, swelling, muscle bulk and range of motion
12 weeks–to assess pain, swelling, muscle bulk and range of motion and to advise on increasing activity leve l
4-6 months–final review depending on progress