Q7 – Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Questions

Hint

Depending on your procedure, the weight-bearing status will be determined by your surgeon.

Weight Bearing Status

1. Non-Weight Bearing: You are not permitted to put any weight through the affected leg. You will need to use crutches, a frame or a wheelchair to mobilise ensuring your affected leg is never in contact with the ground.

2. Touch Weight Bearing: You are permitted to put a small amount of weight on the ground through the affected leg. This is often referred to as toe touch weight bearing, as you are permitted to touch the toes down on the ground, but not the whole foot. As a general rule, you are permitted to take up to 25% of weight through your leg and you will require crutches or a walking frame in this case.

3. Partial Weight Bearing: You are permitted to put up to 50% weight through the affected leg in this case. You will need to use crutches or a walking frame to mobilise with partial weight bearing.

4. Weight Bearing as Tolerated: You are permitted to place as much weight through the affected leg as is tolerable. The use of walking aids (crutches, walking frame or walking stick) will depend on your level of discomfort and whether you and your surgeon or Physiotherapist feel you require their use.

5. Full Weight Bearing: You are permitted and encouraged to bear full weight through your affected leg. The use of walking aids is not necessary unless pain restricts weight on the affected leg.

See video: 00:00 – 01:32

Hint

Walking Aids

1. Elbow Crutches: Must be fitted by a health professional. Crutches are designed to assist you in mobilising following an injury or surgery. It is your responsibility to ensure you are confident and competent with the use of crutches, if required, prior to your discharge from hospital.
2. Walking Frame: Must be fitted by a health professional. A walking Frame is designed to assist you in mobilising following an injury or surgery. It is your responsibility to ensure you are confident and competent with the use of the frame, if required, prior to your discharge from hospital.

3. Walking Stick: Must be fitted by a health professional. A Walking stick is designed to assist you in mobilising following an injury or surgery. It is not to be used if your weight bearing status is Non-Weight Bearing, Touch Weight Bearing, or Partial Weight Bearing .  It is your responsibility to ensure you are confident and competent with the use of the Walking Stick, if required, prior to your discharge from hospital.

4. Scooter or Ortho-Scooter: Must be fitted by a health professional. An OrthoScooter is designed to allow patients who have undergone surgery of the foot and ankle to mobilise Non-Weight Bearing. They are designed for use on flat ground only. It is your responsibility to ensure you are confident and competent with the use of the OrthoScooter prior to discharge from hospital.

See video: 01:32 – 03:04

Hint

Swelling

Compression Stockings: You will be supplied with a compression garment following your surgery. Compression garments are designed to reduce pain and swelling. The failure to use a prescribed compression garment may lead to post operative complications.  Your compression garment will be fitted specifically for you. You must wear this garment for as long as instructed by your health professional. If you are unsure as to whether to put on or remove the garment, ask your health professional and they will teach you. Be sure to follow any post operative instructions when putting the garment on or off.

See video: 03:05 – 03:42