Here's what you need to know about finding the best post-operative shoes for your feet.
After surgery, supporting your feet during recovery is crucial, so choose the post-operative shoes that best suit your needs.
No matter if you have a bone deformity, arthritis, bunions, or another type of injury, you may be only concerned with finding the best treatment and preparing for surgery. If you want your surgery to succeed, you must remember the following healing process. The right post-operative shoes can prevent future problems by supporting your foot while it heals.
What is a post-surgical shoe?
Postsurgical shoes are designed to protect the foot and toes following surgery or injury. These shoes are also known as hard-sole, rigid-sole, and postop shoes. This shoe looks like an oversized sole, fabric or mesh sides, and adjusting straps. The front is open so that you can put your toes in it. Changing the way you walk will benefit your overall well-being. You can get more movement and less pain after surgery or an injury, so you heal faster.
The Importance of Post-Operative Shoes
Your post-operative shoes promote healing, minimize the recurrence of symptoms caused by your surgery, and support your foot. As part of the recovery process, it is crucial to have the right shoes to avoid developing new problems. Whatever the diagnosis or condition requiring foot surgery, the ability to regain ordinary standing and walking patterns after surgery is essential for success.
How to Choose a Post-Operative Shoe
In most cases, postoperative shoes are temporary. If you need continuing support, you may be prescribed supportive orthotic shoes. You may need to wear permanent shoes after surgery with particularly degenerative foot problems. Based on your needs, the shoes could be closed-toed or open-toed. Additionally, they offer a range of benefits, such as:
- Relieving deformation-induced pressure
- Taking care of swelling or bulky dressings
- Keeping joints from moving but allowing walking
- Costs are relatively low
If necessary, your doctor may prescribe a succession of post-operative shoes that you can wear over time or just one for an area that needs to be addressed. Your doctor may suggest healing shoes if you need more robust support during your long recovery. They are more expensive and closed-toed. Your podiatrist should be aware of your recovery goals and should communicate these to your pedorthist so that you can examine your options thoroughly before deciding on a shoe.
Wearing Your Post-Operative Shoe
If you had surgery on your foot, your first inclination would be to minimize how much time you spend on it and how much weight you place. Although your doctor may recommend this at the beginning of your recovery, you should refrain from maintaining this habit. Depending too much on your other foot may negatively impact your other foot and cause your hips and spine problems.
The best way to avoid these issues is to wear a shoe with some lift to help align your spine. Please let your pedorthist know if you have questions during your surgery's planning stages so they can recommend one for you. You will also be taught how to walk comfortably in your post-operative shoes to prompt healing naturally. Those who don't use these practices may later find that their feet do not respond well to walking on them.
Wondering About Reimbursement?
In planning for your surgery, verify that your health care plan covers the procedure and the post-operative shoes. Most insurers should cover post-operative shoes because they are medically necessary to reduce or prevent surgical complications. Consult your healthcare provider about the insurance they offer so that you can schedule an appointment with a pedorthist and purchase shoes.
What Not to Wear After Foot Surgery?
Although it's best to wear only specialized post-op shoes following foot surgery for a while, it is imperative not to wear shoes that contain:
- Heels raised (high heels)
- (Sports shoes) Toe spring
- Tapered toe (pointy shoes)
- A rigid sole (hiking boots)
To prevent unnecessary damage to the foot during recovery, you should refrain from wearing these shoes.
How to put on the post-surgical shoe?
- Lie down in a comfortable position and place your foot in the shoe.
- Cover the top of your foot with the fabric or mesh.
- Tighten the shoe straps without making them too tight. Shoe straps should limit movement without hindering blood flow.
- Standing up and practicing walking will help you.
What else do you need to know?
Regularly check your toes and foot. Observe redness and swelling in your foot and toes. If you feel tingling, numbness, or redness in your toes, loosen your straps. After some time, the swelling will go down from the injury. The straps will likely need to be tightened then.
Avoid walking on wet surfaces. You might slip.
Ask if the shoe can be removed before bathing. You may be instructed to keep your shoe on while bathing. Wrap your leg in a plastic bag, then tape the bag shut.
Frequently asked questions about Post-Operative shoes & recovery shoes
What conditions/injuries does this post-op shoe treat? It is ideal for use following surgery and injury to the toe, foot, and ankle, including broken toes, hairline stress fractures, post-op bunion surgery (bunionectomy), hammertoe, Lisfranc fractures, plantar fasciitis, sprains, and strains, or bruised foot bones, metatarsal fractures, general foot pain, and more.
How does it work? Designed for use following surgery or trauma, toe, foot, ankle, and leg splints provide mobility and protection simultaneously.
Who can wear this brace? Various sizes are available, including SMALL FEMALE to XL MALE to fit adult women and men, teenagers, and youth.
Will this fit my child? Specific sizes are suitable for children.
What size should I get? Please select the correct size based on your gender, regardless of your size preference. It is a universal shoe so that it can be worn on either left or right foot.
When should I wear it? A post-op toe, foot, and ankle brace that can be worn all day long provide post-operative support. It is not recommended that you wear this shoe to sleep.
What is it made of? Featuring a stiff rubber sole, EVA foam insole, polyester lining, and medical-grade straps, this brace is designed to treat broken metatarsal fractures.
Looking for the best post-operative shoes for yourself in Denver? Sky Medical Supplies have several types of postoperative and recovery shoes for you. All you need is to reach them at the outlet or visit their website to get exact fit post-operative mobility shoes for yourself.