Patient education: Amputation of the foot or toe – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is amputation? — This is surgery to remove a damaged body part. How long it takes for you to recover, and what you need to do, depends on how much of your foot was amputated.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you leave the hospital. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Prop your leg on pillows, keeping it above the level of your heart. This might help lessen pain and swelling.

●Take all of your medicines as instructed:

•Use a stool softener to help prevent constipation, if needed. This is a common problem if you take opioid pain medicines. Follow all instructions for taking your pain medicines.

•Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve). These can be used instead of opioids.

●Take care of your incision – You might have stitches, surgical glue, or a special skin tape on your incision.

•Keep your incision dry and covered with a bandage for the first 1 to 2 days. You might need to keep an elastic bandage wrapped around your foot. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep your incision dry.

•Once you no longer need to keep your incision dry, gently wash it with soap and water whenever you take a shower. Do not put your incision underwater, such as in a bath, pool, or lake. This can slow healing and raise your chance of getting an infection.

•After you wash your incision, pat it dry. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to put an antibiotic ointment on it. They will also tell you if you need to cover your incision with a bandage or gauze or wrap it with an elastic bandage.

•Always wash your hands before and after you touch your incision or bandage.

●Increase your activity slowly:

•Follow instructions about putting weight on your foot or leg. Some people cannot put any weight on their foot, but others can put weight on their heel. You will likely be given a special type of open shoe to wear. You can use crutches, a walker, or wheelchair to help move around.

•Follow instructions for limiting activity and movement until you have healed. The doctor or nurse will tell you what activities are safe to do.

●Stop smoking, if you smoke. Smoking lowers blood flow and can slow healing.

●Follow your doctor's instructions for wearing the shoe or brace, if you were given these. They support and protect your foot as it heals.

●Work with a physical therapist (exercise expert) as you heal, if you were told to. They will suggest exercises and stretches to help you move and get around safely.

What follow-up care do I need? — The doctor will want to see you again after surgery to check on your progress. Go to these appointments.

If you have stitches, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will usually want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Some stitches absorb on their own and do not need to be removed. If the doctor used skin glue or skin tape, it will fall off on its own. Do not pick at it or try to remove it yourself.

Some people struggle with sadness or depression after having an amputation. Your doctor might suggest talking with a counselor to help you cope.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.

●You have redness or swelling around your incisions.

●You have trouble breathing or cannot take a deep breath.

●You have numbness or tingling in the rest of your toes, foot, or leg.

●The rest of your toes, foot, or leg is pale or darker in color.

●You cannot control your pain with pain medicines.

●You feel depressed or are struggling to cope.

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