Elevation and swelling
Elevate the operative limb as directed, especially during the first several days. Use ice only as instructed, keep it away from bare skin, and protect the dressing from moisture.
PATIENT RESOURCE
Post-Operative Bunion Surgery Care Guide
General guidance for a safer, more comfortable recovery. Your surgeon’s written instructions always take priority because weight-bearing and activity restrictions vary by procedure and patient.
Your recovery plan is individualized. Follow the discharge instructions provided for your specific surgery. If anything on this page differs from your written instructions, contact the office before changing your activity, dressing, or medication routine.
The first week
Dressings and incision care
Keep the dressing clean, dry, and intact until your surgeon advises otherwise. Do not remove or replace a postoperative dressing unless you were specifically instructed to do so.
Medication
Take prescribed medication exactly as directed. Do not add over-the-counter pain relievers, supplements, or anti-inflammatory medicines unless your surgical team confirms they are appropriate for you.
Weight-bearing: follow your specific plan
Some minimally invasive bunion procedures may permit protected weight-bearing in a postoperative shoe or boot. Other procedures or patient-specific circumstances may require partial weight-bearing or no weight on the operative foot. Use the shoe, boot, crutches, walker, or knee scooter prescribed for you and follow the written weight-bearing instructions from your surgeon.
If your instructions are unclear, do not guess—call the office before placing weight on the operative foot.
Call promptly for warning signs
- Bleeding that saturates the dressing or does not improve with elevation
- Fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, unless your discharge instructions use a different threshold
- Pain that is severe, worsening, or not controlled by the prescribed plan
- New or increasing redness, warmth, drainage, foul odor, or swelling
- Persistent numbness, color change, unusual coolness, or inability to move the toes
- Calf pain or swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath—seek urgent medical attention
Follow-up and return to activity
Attend every scheduled follow-up visit. Your surgeon will examine the incision, assess swelling and alignment, review imaging when appropriate, and guide progression into shoes, driving, work, exercise, or physical therapy. Bone healing commonly reaches an important milestone near six weeks, but complete recovery varies.
Questions after surgery?
Call the office for instructions specific to your procedure. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Call 561-915-1934