The majority of foot surgery requires some sort of incision through the skin. This gives us access to the muscles, bones, and tendons below for the surgery. At the end of the procedure, the skin is sewn together with individual sutures, which generally do not dissolve. They need to be taken out, usually between 7-14 days postoperatively.

Regardless of the surgery performed, it is imperative that the skin heal, as the skin is the structure that keeps infections out. Skin is a living tissue with nerves and a blood supply. After it has been sewn together, it heals itself from side to side.

It is imperative during this early period before the sutures are removed that the foot is kept elevated strictly to reduce swelling and increase the rate of skin healing. Quick skin healing is the single most important way of preventing infection. If the foot swells, this puts stress on the wound, slows its healing, and increases the possibility of an infection occurring.

For these reasons, I ask my patients in most circumstances to remain strictly non-weight bearing with the foot elevated for 23 hours per day until the skin is sealed. There are some exceptions to this, but these can be discussed individually.