After Your Visit
We’ve included information on the most common questions below. If you have additional questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact your physician’s office or facility of care directly.
We know you have many options for orthopedic care in the area and we’re honored that you chose Midwest Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Alliance. Thank you for trusting us with your health care.
Post-Procedure & Surgery Care
Just before you’re discharged from the hospital or outpatient center, you’ll be given orthopedic post-operative instructions and any necessary prescriptions or medications. These instructions provide reminders for aspects of home care.
After surgery, you should expect pain in the area of the incision. It’s important to report any unusual pain, swelling, fever, redness, discharge, numbness or flu-like symptoms immediately. You should also expect to feel tired the first few days following surgery. It’s important to plan rest periods during your day during recovery. It’s also a good idea to schedule your follow-up appointment shortly after arriving home.
Foot & Ankle Surgery Patients
After foot or ankle surgery, you will likely be non-weight bearing on your surgical leg for some period of time. This means that you will not be allowed to put any weight on your surgical side until your surgeon tells you otherwise. You will need to walk with either crutches or a walker in order to keep your weight off your surgical side.
Find out how long you will have to stay off of your surgical foot.
The length of time you will need to stay off your foot or “non-weight bearing” depends on your procedure. The timeframe may also vary dependent on your health and individual case.
Below are estimates on how long you will have to stay off your surgical foot by procedure:
Toes (Bunion, Hammer Toe, Claw Toe)
- No weight bearing for 24 hours for anesthesia to wear off
- Weight bear on a flat foot for 6 weeks in your post op shoe (not on toes or ball of foot)
Nerve (Neuroma)
- You may bear weight as you can tolerate after anesthesia wears off
- You will use post op shoe until your stitches are out
- Remember to move your foot and toes in all directions for exercise
Front of Your Arch (Metatarsal Osteotomy Bunion)
- No weight bearing for 4 weeks while wearing a splint for 1 week and then a cast for 3 weeks
- After 4 weeks you may gradually bear weight while wearing a boot
- You may wear a shoe at about 8 weeks after your surgery
Back of Your Arch & Under Your Ankle
- No weight bearing for 6 weeks while wearing a splint for 1 week and then a cast for 5 weeks
- After 6 weeks you may gradually bear weight while wearing a boot
- You may wear a shoe at about 12 weeks after surgery
Repairing Your Achilles Tendon
- No weight bearing for 3 weeks while wearing a splint or cast
- You may gradually bear weight with a boot and a heel lift at 3 weeks
- You may wear a shoe at about 8 weeks after surgery
Reattaching Your Achilles Tendon
- No weight bearing for 6 weeks
- You will transition from a cast to a boot at about 4 weeks
Total Ankle Replacement
- No weight bearing for 4 weeks while wearing a splint or cast
- After 4 weeks you can gradually bear weight while wearing a boot
- You can wear a shoe at about 8 weeks
Find a Location Near You
Need Care Now?
MOSH Brookfield Ortho Walk-In Clinic
17000L W. Bluemound Road
Brookfield, WI 53005
MOSH Performance Center Ortho Walk-In Clinic
7095 S Ballpark Dr
Suite 100
Franklin, WI 53132