Whether it's from a serious injury, wear and tear, or a form of arthritis not caused by use, you could need partial or total ankle replacement surgery. With this procedure comes some preparation to ensure your home and you are ready, especially since you'll be off your feet for a while. At Potomac Podiatry Group, with locations in Sterling, VA, Chantilly, VA, Woodbridge, VA, White Plains, MD, Crofton, MD, and Annapolis, MD, we have some advice.

Please Ask Questions

 If it was worth thinking, it's worth asking. So please don't hesitate to inquire about anything regarding the procedure so you feel comfortable and are well aware of what to expect. 

Stop Smoking

 Smoking impedes circulation, which ultimately interferes with healing. Your risk of infection is higher, and so are your chances of other complications whenever you smoke. We advise our patients to stop smoking before ankle replacement surgery at one of our locations, including Sterling, VA, Chantilly, VA, Woodbridge, VA, White Plains, MD, Crofton, MD, and Annapolis, MD. Ideally, you want to quit at least a month before and four weeks after.

Discuss Your Medications With Us

 You may need to refrain from taking certain medications before surgery, particularly blood thinners, but there are others as well. Therefore, have a list of prescription, non-prescription, and supplements handy for us to review before your procedure. We can educate you on the ideal amount of time you'll need to stop taking the drug/supplement before you undergo a replacement.

Prep Your Home for After-Surgery 

 The first few days and even weeks are the roughest, but for the first six weeks, minimum, you'll have some restrictions after your procedure. Therefore, make sure you have your home completely cleaned before surgery. You'll be able to do small things, but larger tasks will be off-limits at first.

Put the frequently used items down low and remove any tripping hazards from the floor, i.e., rugs. Consider having a potty chair downstairs if you don't have a bathroom on the floor you'll be living on. You should set yourself up a bed somewhere on the lower level of your home so you don't have to worry about stairs.

Any physician you see at Potomac Podiatry Group, with locations in Sterling, VA, Chantilly, VA, Woodbridge, VA, White Plains, MD, Crofton, MD, and Annapolis, MD, can provide ankle replacement therapy, but you'll need to do your part to get ready for the big day, which may mean stopping smoking or asking for help from a friend.

Call any of our locations today at: 

Woodbridge - 703-583-5959

Chantilly - 703-490-5599

Crofton - 410-721-4505

Sterling - 703-444-1190

White Plains - 301-645-1406

Annapolis - 410-263-7380