How To Ensure Patients Adhere To Our Post-Op Non-Weightbearing Instructions

I just published an article, co-authored with Daniel Buford, DPM, that reviews important issues relevant to pre-surgical decision making by the foot and ankle surgeon.¹

Too often, a perfectly executed surgical procedure goes awry when a patient becomes non-adherent. This may not be the patient’s fault in every case. How many times do patients confess that they did not realize the challenge imposed on them when they have orders to be non-weightbearing for six weeks? Do you discuss these issues with your surgical patients?

Immobilization after foot and ankle surgery imposes a significant challenge to four activities of daily living: mobility, nutrition, hygiene and sleeping. Click on this link and see our analysis of these challenges as well as simple, practical solutions: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1Y2po3Ao0odXKt

By considering the realities of postoperative convalescence, some patients may decide not to proceed with a proposed surgery. Conversely, with the information provided in our article, a foot and ankle surgeon can provide simple solutions to the challenges of immobilization and the surgery can facilitate a positive outcome.

Reference

1. Richie D, Buford D. Postoperative convalescence. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2019; 36(1):153–61.