How to Recover From Ankle Surgery

Doctors recommend ankle surgery for people who sustain injuries beyond simple strains. Some of these injuries are sports-related or occur because of incorrectly landing on the ankle. Recovering from ankle surgery takes approximately eight weeks. Patients should follow their doctors' directions so they won't be immobilized longer. The steps leading to recovery include rest, medication, infection prevention and physical therapy.

Instructions

• 1

  Take the medications prescribed by your physician. Most ankle surgery patients have some inflammation, and anti-inflammatory medications reduce pain and swelling. Antibiotics prevent infections if stitches and sutures bind the incision.

• 2

  Use ice packs on the ankle as instructed by your doctor. Administering cold treatment helps reduce swelling.

• 3

  Keep your leg immobilized with a fiberglass cast and keep it elevated. You will recover from ankle surgery faster if you follow your doctor's instructions for resting. To move around, you may need assistance from friends and family, or you may need to use a wheelchair or crutches.

• 4

  Change the surgical dressings regularly and clean the wound to prevent infection. If bacteria enter the wounds, you will not recover as quickly from ankle surgery, especially if the doctor has to drain infectious fluids from the wound.

• 5

  Wear the boot provided by the doctor to protect your ankle. When the doctor gives you permission to put pressure on the ankle to walk around, you will still need to wear the boot to prevent bacteria from reaching the wound.

• 6

  Complete the physical therapy treatment recommended by your doctor. Physical therapy will help you regain mobility and fully recover from ankle surgery. Physical therapy takes at least three weeks.