Postoperative Wound Care Instructions For ATFL Reconstruction

• A rigid posterior splint made of cast material and a clean sterile dressing will be placed on your ankle at the end of your procedure. The incision will be closed with black nylon sutures which are not absorbable and will be removed at your first follow-up appointment two weeks after your surgery.  Please keep the incision clean and dry at all times except when bathing.  It is OK to remove all of your dressings and take brief showers beginning post-op day three, using Dyna-Hex solution or a 1:1 mixture of peroxide and water to clean the wound.  Please do not attempt to bear full weight or walk when your splint is removed.  Please do not soak your incision in the bath, pool, hot-tub, lake, etc.  After you have showered allow the ankle to dry then cover the incision with a thin layer of gauze and wrap with an ACE bandage, using caution not to wrap overly tight.  If there is numbness/tingling or increased swelling in the foot please loosen your ACE bandage.  If you already have a walking boot at home, you should resume use after bathing but may remove it several times a day to perform gentle non-weightbearing and un-resisted ankle exercises (Active plantarflexion and dorsiflexion only).  If you do not already have a boot you will be provided one at your first follow-up appointment.  Until that time, you should reuse the rigid splint placed on your ankle at the time of surgery to protect the ankle.  You may use a loose ACE wrap, sock, or soft roll gauze between the skin and splint to prevent developing pressure sores, especially on the back of your heel.  You do not need to apply any antibiotic ointment to the incision.  Please do not use any scar treatment creams (such as Mederma or Vitamin E) until one month post-op.  

 

• Clear or bloody drainage from the incision may occur for several days and is normal.  If there is any significant redness surrounding the incision or yellow drainage from the wound please monitor closely and contact our office if you have any concerns.  Warmth and swelling is normal and part of the healing process. 

 

• Apply Ice to the ankle intermittently to help control pain and swelling, 15-20 minutes at a time and repeat 5-10 times daily.  Place a thin towel between the ice pack and skin to prevent frostbite injury.   

 

• You can anticipate bruising and swelling after surgery, which may extend up the calf and down into the forefoot and/or toes.  Elevating the ankle frequently will help reduce swelling. 

 

• Your ankle may appear “swollen” until the soft tissue healing process is complete, which can take 3-4 months from the time of your surgery.

 

• There will be numbness immediately surrounding the incision.  Small superficial sensory skin nerves must be cut through to perform your surgery.

 

• At your two week follow-up further wound care instructions will be provided if necessary. 

 

Please contact our office through MyChart or by calling our office at 270-417-7940 if you have any concerns and our office staff will be happy to assist you.