Time To Say Goodbye To Your Bunions? How To Prepare For Your Bunionectomy

Bunions can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort in your feet. Not to mention the fact that they can make it nearly impossible to find shoes that fit and that are comfortable on your feet. If you're tired of dealing with foot pain, and not being able to find the right shoes for your feet, it's time to talk to your podiatrist about a bunionectomy. 

After your bunions are removed, you'll be able to walk without pain and wear stylish shoes. Once you've scheduled your bunionectomy, you'll need to take a few precautionary steps to make sure that you're ready for the recovery period. Here are three steps that will help you ensure a safe and comfortable recovery from your bunionectomy.

Get Your Ice Packs Ready

After your bunionectomy, you may have a significant amount of swelling in your foot. You may also notice some pain and discomfort during the healing process, especially during those first few days. To help reduce the swelling and to alleviate some of the discomfort, you'll need to apply ice packs to your affected foot. However, you'll want to avoid simply placing ice into bags. That's because once the ice melts, your bandages may get wet, which can lead to complications including infection. To provide you with the cooling relief you'll need without the wetness, you'll need to purchase reusable medical ice packs.

Rearrange Your Bedroom Furniture

After your surgery, you'll need to protect your foot from accidental injuries. One way to do that is to rearrange your bedroom furniture, especially if your room is filled with furniture. Stubbing your toe on a dresser or a bookcase that sticks out into a walkway can seriously injure your foot. Not to mention the fact that it will cause excruciating pain. Before you have your bunionectomy, make sure that you have a clear pathway through your bedroom.

Practice Waterproofing Your Foot

Once you've had your surgery, you'll want to take a shower, but you won't be able to get your foot wet. In most cases, your doctor will allow you to shower, as long as you wrap your foot in plastic. To make sure your bandages will be protected properly, practice waterproofing your foot before your scheduled surgery. Wrap your foot in medical gauze like it would be after surgery. Place your foot in a plastic bag and then secure the top of the bag with a strip of duct tape. Take a shower as you normally would. If the gauze stays dry, you're ready for your post-surgery showers. If it's not, keep practicing a few more times.

For more information, contact your local bunionectomy treatment center.