Most of the surgery that we perform requires immobilization afterward, and each type has a different recovery time. Ligaments take an average of 6 weeks to heal, so we immobilize the leg to make sure the repair does not spread apart. Next, we allow progressive weight-bearing and motion in two cast phases followed by physical therapy to rehabilitate our patients back to strength and balance.
These ankle surgeries are considered more minor and have the advantage that most patients can walk much sooner. Because we find that our patients are careful during the recovery time, we allow our patients to put full weight on their ankle after their first post-op visit.
These ankle surgeries are considered more minor and have the advantage that most patients can walk much sooner. Because we find that our patients are careful during the recovery time, we allow our patients to put full weight on their ankle after their first post-op visit.
These bony procedures require the most immobilization. Bones on the average take 7 weeks to heal to about 80% of their normal strength. Once healed, we progressively stress the bone to accelerate remodeling of the bone and to improve its compression and tensile strength.
Our standard protocol for bone procedures are:
