Cambridge Foot & Ankle

1 Cambridge foot & Ankle Clinic Advice for patients who are non- weight bearing A patient's guide Fred Robinson BSc FRCS FRCS(orth). Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon Advice for patients who are non- weight bearing Fred Robinson BSc FRCS FRCS(orth) Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon A patient's guide Your may have been told you that you physiotherapist can then check that it will be non- weight bearing on your is safe and the correct height. operated leg after your surgery. This means you will have to hop on your Wheelchairs good leg, with your operated leg not Some patients find it useful to hire a touching the floor. The time you will wheelchair to allow them to get out be non-weightbearing varies, but is and about. It is advisable to have usually for 2 weeks. This will affect an adjustable footrest that will keep many daily activities and can be very the operated leg elevated. A few tiring, so it is a good idea to plan patients, who already have existing ahead as you will need some support mobility problems or weakness in at home.

2 Their unaffected leg or arms, may not manage to hop with a frame. They will Walking aids have to transfer from chair to bed or A physiotherapist will assess your toilet, and use a wheelchair for getting mobility after your surgery, and will around. In this case it is necessary to teach you to use an appropriate check the width of doorways and if walking aid. This will probably be there is adequate space in the toilet. It crutches or in some cases a walking may be necessary to hire a commode frame. A frame provides more support temporarily. for patients with poor balance, or weak arms, but for most people crutches Sitting to standing suffice. The hospital does not loan It can be quite difficult to get from equipment, and you will be charged sitting to standing from a low chair, for crutches or a frame. Frames can especially if your unaffected leg is be hired from the Red Cross. If you weak, so it may be advisable to sit in have borrowed equipment please an upright chair with arms. It may also bring it to the hospital with you.

3 The be helpful to hire a toilet frame and Cambridge foot and Ankle Clinic T: 01223 518989 F: 01223 847436. Cambridge foot & Ankle Clinic raised toilet seat as toilets seats are shower by sitting on a bath board. Wet usually low. wipes are useful for cleaning between your toes. Stairs The physiotherapist will show you how Swelling to manage stairs with crutches. If you For the first 2 weeks it is advisable have weak arms, or are using a frame, to keep swelling to a minimum by you will have to do the stairs on your keeping your leg elevated to the same bottom. The main difficulty is standing height as your bottom on a pouffe or back up when you get to the top of a stool, for at least 45 minutes each the stairs. You can use a low stool hour. Alternatively you can sit on a to lift you up in stages. Alternatively sofa, with your legs across it. you can try getting on your hands and knees and pulling yourself up on Safety a chair. It is useful to try this at home It is essential to take extra care when before your surgery; it can be harder using crutches or a frame.

4 Beware of than you think. Alternatively, you can hazards such as pets, slippery floors bring a bed downstairs temporarily. and loose rugs. Washing If you live alone It is important to keep the cast It is advisable to stay with someone, and dressing dry. The nurse or or arrange for someone to come in physiotherapist can give you and help you with household tasks, information about a product that will shopping and pets. A small rucksack keep your leg dry while you shower. is useful for carrying things around It is possible to shower in a walk in the house, but you will not be able to shower by sitting on a plastic stool carry drinks and plates of food while or chair. Alternatively you can bathe/ you are non- weight bearing . Cambridge foot & Ankle Clinic Equipment Contact details for the Red Cross It is possible to borrow most of the equipment mentioned above, from Cambridge your local Red Cross on a short-term Unit C, 511 Coldhams Lane loan, for a small fee or donation. Cambridge , CB13JS.

5 01223 868696. Ely 19 West Fen Road, Ely Cambridgeshire , CB6 1AN. 01353 664147. St Neots Cemetery Road, St Neots, PE19 2BX. 01480 213376. Cambridge foot and Ankle Clinic Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital, 30 New Road, Impington, Cambridge , CB24 9EL. T: 01223 518989 F: 01223 847436 Mr A H N Robinson BSc FRCS (Orth) - GMC No. 3289011. Andrew HN Robinson Fred the foot Limited, Cambridge Medical Consultants, Wingate House, Maris Lane, Trumpington, Cambridge , CB2 9FF. Registered in England No. 07700787.