Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery Recovery

Dr. Lopez provides comprehensive information on minimally invasive hallux valgus surgery and the recovery process. Dr. Lopez places great importance on the relationship with his patients, offering complete care for the condition—before, during, and after the surgery.

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Following Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery

Discover the post-surgery phase following minimally invasive hallux valgus surgery.

In the case of minimally invasive hallux valgus surgery, recovery and the post-operative phase are essential in the healing process after surgery. They involve attentive medical follow-up and constant monitoring to ensure optimal recovery and the success of the surgery. During this period, Dr. Lopez will schedule regular appointments to monitor your overall health, wound healing from the hallux valgus surgery, and pain management. Appropriate post-operative care can reduce the risk of complications such as infections, bleeding, or blood clots. Patients are also encouraged to follow post-operative instructions to maximize their chances of healing and return to normal walking as soon as possible.

The Dressing

At the end of the minimally invasive hallux valgus surgery, Dr. Lopez will apply a dressing to maintain the correct position of the toe(s) during the healing phase. This dressing should not be changed within the first 21 days. After this period, a post-operative appointment is scheduled to change the dressing. Take care to protect your foot during showers to avoid getting the dressing wet. Scar assessment will also be performed during this appointment. You will be required to bring an X-ray of the foot after the percutaneous hallux valgus surgery. It is important to care for your scar. To do so, it is necessary to apply a healing cream every evening. Remember to protect your scar from the sun by using a high SPF sunscreen. These measures help achieve an invisible scar after one year.

Note: It is common for the dressing to have bloodstains. This is normal and not a cause for concern. If you suspect a complication under the dressing, please inform the office so that Dr. Lopez can see you urgently for assessment and dressing change. Only he is authorized to change the dressing.

Another appointment should be scheduled 2 months after the surgery. Before this appointment, you will be asked to have an X-ray following your percutaneous hallux valgus surgery.

Swelling

Preventing swelling is one of the main goals in the post-operative phase. Some measures can be taken to avoid it:

  • It is recommended to keep the foot elevated as much as possible. Conversely, keeping the foot hanging down is not advised.
  • Consider icing your foot regularly using an ice pack, frozen vegetables bag, or cryotherapy brace.

Scar Healing and Pain Management after Non-Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery

Dr. Lopez makes every effort to optimize pain management after non-invasive hallux valgus surgery.

Once the condition surgery is completed, Dr. Lopez will provide you with post-operative instructions to follow for optimal recovery, reduced risk of complications, and effective pain management.

Feeling pain is a normal phenomenon after hallux valgus surgery. It can be intense during the first 48 hours following the surgery. Dr. Lopez implements various measures to optimize pain management. The use of local regional anesthesia allows the foot to remain numb for up to 12 hours after the procedure.

To alleviate pain, intravenous pain relief is systematically offered during the preoperative consultation. This involves infusions through a portable balloon. In parallel, pain relievers will be prescribed to the patient by the anesthesiologist. During the first 2 days, pain relief medication should be taken as prescribed by the surgeon. After this period, it is advisable to continue taking pain relievers when you experience pain.

Resuming Walking after Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery

Resuming walking after minimally invasive hallux valgus surgery is possible immediately after leaving the operating room. Weight-bearing on the operated foot is possible with the condition of wearing the orthopedic shoe prescribed by Dr. Lopez during your consultation. However, you can walk barefoot if you feel comfortable (with little pain).

The surgeon will provide you with advice and recommendations for walking with the orthopedic shoe:

  • It is advisable to prioritize short walks and avoid long walks lasting more than 30 minutes.
  • It is important to use the entire foot while walking, not just the lateral edge or the heel.
  • If you find it too difficult to move around, you can use one or two crutches.

"Gentle" sports activities such as swimming and cycling can be resumed one month after the surgical procedure. Other sports can be resumed two months post-operatively.

In the case of hallux valgus, the average duration of sick leave is 30 to 45 days.

Complications of Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery

Every surgery carries risks. Discover the complications of minimally invasive hallux valgus surgery.

Some simple measures can be taken to significantly reduce the risk of complications, such as adhering to post-operative instructions and quitting smoking.

In the case of percutaneous surgery, common complications include:

  • Hematoma
  • Wound healing issues
  • Thrombophlebitis
  • Algodystrophy
  • Infection
  • Secondary displacements
  • Insufficient or excessive correction
  • Stress fractures
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The informations on the page is provided for information only, it evokes general cases: your situation is specific.

Dr Julien Lopez, orthopedic foot surgeon in Nice welcomes you and advises you for your plantar aproneuritis.

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