Your first postoperative clinic visit after ankle replacement surgery will take place three weeks after surgery. The cast will be removed, and if the wound shows enough healing, the sutures will be removed. You will then be placed back in a short leg cast or removable boot.

You should not put weight on your ankle until we see you at six weeks after surgery. At that visit we will remove the cast and obtain an x-ray.

You may receive a walking boot for an additional period as determined by your surgeon, based on your wound’s healing. We also recommend wearing compression stockings during the day to reduce swelling.

Once you are out of the cast, we will instruct you on how to move your ankle.

In addition to your visits at three and six weeks after surgery, your doctor will see you back in clinic for follow-up at three months, six months, and once every year thereafter for the rest of your life. It is important to keep up these yearly visits so we can evaluate the progress of your ankle and make any necessary recommendations.

Remember: It takes a year to recover from a total ankle replacement.