You may need a foot amputation, or surgical removal of a foot, if one of your feet suffers any serious injury, infection or tissue death. Once you are out of surgery, a comprehensive rehab program can help you heal properly and aid you in training your body to thrive without your amputated foot.
Hospital Care
You will stay in the hospital for two to seven days after your surgery, but you may need to stay longer if you develop any complications, according to the Aurora Health Care website. During this time, your health-care team will wrap your amputated limb with a dressing to reduce your risk of injury. You will also begin walking, with assistance from a physical therapist, as soon as your body is sufficiently healed.
Acute Rehab
You will spend some time in a rehabilitation unit or separate rehabilitation center once you have graduated from intensive care in the hospital. A team of medical professionals will help you through stages such as getting fitted for a prosthetic foot, properly caring for your residual limb and safely returning to work and former activities, according to "The Amputees Guide to the Amputation and Recovery Processes." A physical therapist will help you adjust to the physical newness of having an amputated limb and wearing a prosthetic one. She is likely to guide you through a series of strengthening, cardio, balance, mobility and range-of-motion exercises.
Rehab at Home
You will continue rehabilitating once you return home. You may still need to wear a cast or specialized shoe for a few weeks until you no longer need surgical stitches. Your medical team may also recommend that you continue a long-term rehabilitation program on an outpatient basis at the hospital or at a separate clinic. Your doctor will likely recommend that you make healthy lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking to improve your healing and reduce your risk of needing more amputations in the future. Keep a close watch on your residual limb in the months following surgery and get in touch with your doctor if you experience notice any visible changes such as swelling and redness or physical symptoms such as numbness, fever and nausea.
Recovery Time
The duration and extent of your recovery depends on how physically fit you were prior to your amputation. The healing process is likely to go more smoothly and not take as long if you were in shape before surgery. Factors such as your age, determination to thrive and level of willingness to follow your therapist's instructions can also influence your recovery, according to "The Amputees Guide to the Amputation and Recovery Processes."
References
- Aurora Health Care: Amputation of the Foot or Toe
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Leg or Foot Amputation Recovery
- Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center: Amputation Rehabilitation
- "The Amputees Guide to the Amputation and Recovery Processes"; R. Sherman, et al; 1995
- Department of Veterans Affairs Department of Defense: Practice Guideline for Rehabilitation of Lower Limb Amputation
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