*The recovery plans below are for just a few of Dr. Martucci's regularly performed surgeries. Please consult with the doctor as your recovery may be more individualized and tailored to you based on previous surgeries, current medical conditions, line of work, etc.
It is also known as a "Lapidus Bunionectomy."
Post Op 1 (within 10 days):
X-rays and dressing change. At this visit, we always evaluate for any signs of infection, early healing concerns, and pain control issues.
Post Op 2 (2-3 Weeks):
X-rays, suture removal and proceed with limited weightbearing in surgical boot. “Limited” means taking a few steps around at home to safely maneuver yourself.
Post Op 3 (5 Weeks):
X-rays and continue with weightbearing in surgical boot. Physical therapy referral to work on range of motion, gait normalization, scar massage.
Post Op 4 (8 Weeks):
X-rays and transition into regular shoe gear. Continue physical therapy.
Post Op 5 (12 Weeks):
X-Rays and general evaluation.
After the initial 3-month period, Dr. Martucci advises follow up at 6 months and 1 year after surgery for x-rays and a brief check-up. Of course, you may also reach out to the office about any concerns before then and be appointed.
Also known as First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Fusion or "Big Toe Joint Fusion".
You are allowed to walk as tolerated in a surgical boot from the day of surgery. That being said, rest, ice, elevation and adherence to the post-operative medications prescribed is paramount.
Post Op 1 (within 10 days):
X-rays and dressing change. At this visit, we always evaluate for any signs of infection, early healing concerns, pain control issues, and review pathology results (if applicable).
Post Op 2 (2-3 Weeks):
X-rays, suture removal and proceed with limited weightbearing in surgical boot. “Limited” means taking a few steps around at home to safely maneuver yourself.
Post Op 3 (5 Weeks):
X-rays and continue with weightbearing in surgical boot. Physical therapy referral to work on range of motion, gait normalization, scar massage. For some patients, transition into regular shoe gear will be advised at this point.
Post Op 4 (8 Weeks):
X-rays and transition into regular shoe gear. Continue physical therapy.
Post Op 5 (12 Weeks):
X-Rays and general evaluation.
After the initial 3-month period, Dr. Martucci advises follow up at 6 months and 1 year after surgery for x-rays and a brief check-up. Of course, you may also reach out to the office about any concerns before then and be appointed.
"Hammertoe" is a term used loosely to describe any toe deformity (contracture, mallet, claw, adductovarus, etc).
You are allowed to walk as tolerated in a surgical boot from the day of surgery. That being said, rest, ice, elevation and adherence to the post-operative medications prescribed is paramount.
Post Op 1 (within 10 days):
X-rays and dressing change. At this visit, we always evaluate for any signs of infection, early healing concerns, pain control issues, and review pathology results (if applicable). Continue with weightbearing in surgical boot.
Post Op 2 (2-3 Weeks):
X-rays, suture removal.
Post Op 3 (5 Weeks):
X-rays and k-wire removal (if placed in toe). Physical therapy referral to work on range of motion, gait normalization, scar massage. For some patients, transition into regular shoe gear will be advised at this point.
Post Op 4 (8 Weeks):
X-rays and transition into regular shoe gear. Continue physical therapy.
Post Op 5 (12 Weeks):
X-Rays and general evaluation.
After the initial 3-month period, Dr. Martucci advises follow up at 6 months and 1 year after surgery for x-rays and a brief check-up. Of course, you may also reach out to the office about any concerns before then and be appointed.
Ankle arthritis may entail an "ankle fusion" or "ankle replacement." An ankle replacement patient will proceed to weightbearing as early as 3 weeks.
Flatfoot Reconstruction in this section entails a "medial double arthrodesis." Typically, a patient who undergoes this surgery will weight bear around 6-8 weeks. See the next section for a "joint sparing" flatfoot reconstruction.
Charcot Reconstruction may entail a " tibiotalocalcaneal fusion or rearfoot/midfoot fusion." These reconstructions require the utmost compliance with weight bearing protocols given the high incidence of complications. Weight bearing typically begins at 2-3 months after fusion is confirmed on a CT ("cat") scan.
Post Op 1 (1-2 Weeks):
X-rays and dressing change. At this visit, we always evaluate for any signs of infection, early healing concerns, pain control issues, and review pathology results (if applicable).
Post Op 2 (3 Weeks):
X-Rays, suture removal and cast placed (generally all cases above except for "ankle replacement"). In some cases, sutures remain in place till the next appointment.
Post Op 3 (5 Weeks):
X-rays and re-cast or surgical boot.
Post Op 4 (7-8 Weeks):
X-Rays and, in some cases, proceed to partial weightbearing in surgical boot; physical therapy referral. Charcot reconstruction patients will require a CT scan before weight bearing at all.
***If Charcot surgery WITHOUT AN EXTERNAL FIXATOR, no weight at all till nearly 3 months after surgery. However, at this appointment, a CROW boot (Charcot Restraint Orthotic Walker) may ordered. This is a custom boot with padded lining to support your leg, ankle and foot. If an external fixator is in place, you will not have CROW boot ordered until it has been removed).***
***If Charcot surgery WITH AN EXTERNAL FIXATOR, the fixator will be removed between 2-4 months. Then, a CT scan will be ordered and CROW boot prescribed. No weight bearing is allowed until the fusion site is evaluated.
Post Op 5 (12 Weeks):
X-Rays and continue with weightbearing in surgical boot; continue with physical therapy.
After the initial 3-month period, Dr. Martucci advises follow up at 6 months and 1 year after surgery for x-rays and a brief check-up. Of course, you may also reach out to the office about any concerns before then and be appointed.
For Charcot reconstructive surgery, the follow ups are every 2-4 weeks until he is sure your condition has stabilized. Of course, you may also reach out to the office about any concerns before then and be appointed.
This section refers to surgery with "joint sparing osteotomies" such as Evans and Cotton Osteotomy with Kidner Procedure.
Post Op 1 (1-2 Weeks):
X-rays and dressing change. At this visit, we always evaluate for any signs of infection, early healing concerns, pain control issues, and review pathology results (if applicable).
Post Op 2 (3 Weeks):
X-Rays, suture removal and cast placed. In some cases, sutures remain in place till the next appointment.
Post Op 3 (5 Weeks):
X-rays and surgical boot with limited weightbearing. Physical therapy referral provided.
Post Op 4 (7-8 Weeks):
X-Rays and cleared to transition into regular shoe gear. Continue to work with physical therapy.
Post Op 5 (12 Weeks):
X-Rays and continue with weightbearing in regular shoe gear; continue with physical therapy.
After the initial 3-month period, Dr. Martucci advises follow up at 6 months and 1 year after surgery for x-rays and a brief check-up. Of course, you may also reach out to the office about any concerns before then and be appointed.
This is typically termed an "open reduction with internal fixation" procedure.
Depending on the location the fracture, Dr. Martucci may allow you to walk sooner. Ankle fractures require the most careful care and advancement of activity. Please consult with him regarding your particular fracture to learn more.
Post Op 1 (1-2 Weeks):
X-Rays, splint removed, dressing changed. Non-weightbearing in a cast/splint. At this visit, we always evaluate for any signs of infection, early healing concerns, pain control issues, and review pathology results (if applicable).
Post Op 2 (3 Weeks):
X-Rays, suture removal. Limited weightbearing in surgical boot.
Post Op 3 (8 Weeks):
X-Rays and, in most cases, proceed to full weightbearing in surgical boot with a physical therapy referral.
Post Op 4 (12 Weeks):
X-Rays, proceed to full weightbearing in normal shoe gear; continue physical therapy.
After the initial 3-month period, Dr. Martucci advises follow up at 6 months and 1 year after surgery for x-rays and a brief check-up. Of course, you may also reach out to the office about any concerns before then and be appointed.
For an acute or chronic rupture, this may be with/without a flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer.
A Haglund's resection refers to removal of a spur from the heel, detachment of the Achilles tendon with re-attachment.
Post Op 1 (1-2 Weeks):
X-Rays, splint removed, dressing changed. Non-weightbearing in a cast/splint. At this visit, we always evaluate for any signs of infection, early healing concerns, pain control issues, and review pathology results (if applicable).
Post Op 2 (3 Weeks):
X-Rays, suture removal. Continue non-weightbearing. If you had a tendon transfer, a cast is placed through 4-6 weeks after surgery. If you had a Haglund's procedure, you are transitioned into a surgical boot at this stage with limited weightbearing and a heel lift.
Post Op 3 (4-6 Weeks):
X-Rays and, in most cases, proceed to full weightbearing in surgical boot with a physical therapy referral. This is the case for all of the above procedures.
Post Op 4 (12 Weeks):
X-Rays, proceed to full weightbearing in normal shoe gear; continue physical therapy.
***Physical therapy is PARAMOUNT for recovering after any tendon surgery. You must work as hard as possible to regain your strength, stability, mobility and independence. At this point, the real work begins.***
After the initial 3-month period, Dr. Martucci advises follow up at 6 months and 1 year after surgery for x-rays and a brief check-up. Of course, you may also reach out to the office about any concerns before then and be appointed.
A "gastrocnemius recession" refers to lengthening a portion of the tendon/muscle complex that makes up the Achilles tendon.
A "plantar fasciotomy" refers to cutting a portion of the plantar fascia.
Post Op 1 (1-2 Weeks):
Dressing change. Full weightbearing in surgical boot or surgical shoe. At this visit, we always evaluate for any signs of infection, early healing concerns, pain control issues, and review pathology results (if applicable).
Post Op 2 (2-3 Weeks):
Suture removal. If swelling allows, return to normal shoes with compression stocking. Physical therapy referral if necessary.
Post Op 3 (8 Weeks):
General evaluation.
Post Op 4 (12 Weeks):
Last check up.
After the initial 3-month period, Dr. Martucci advises follow up at 6 months and 1 year after surgery for a brief check-up. At this appointment, he will assess for any soft tissue mass recurrence, possible stump neuroma and other concerns after soft tissue surgery. Of course, you may also reach out to the office about any concerns before then and be appointed.
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