Things you've found helpful in your recovery process - Foot Problems Message Board

lcweiden3132 · 04-26-2008, 11:33 AM

I thought it might be helpful, especially for the new people, to list some things that you have found to be helpful in your recovery.

These are things I've used and found helpful:

Band-adi Advanced Healing Blister patches - I put them on over the scar and it seems to really cushion the top of the scar.

Arnica creme - helped reduce some of the discoloration of the skin around my scar.

Epsom salts baths - great for massaging my foot and doing my flex/bend workout.

Mederma gel - has helped reduce the size and ugliness of the scar....hasn't made it disappear, but it is definitely reduced.

Ice packs - the flexible kind for wrapping around the entire foot.

Orthonesic pain reliever gel - this my doc gave me. It has something in it that numbs the surface skin and it helped reduce skin pain so that I could massage deaper without as much pain.

Really really thick socks - padded my bad foot in a shoe, helped my good foot fit into a size bigger shoe.

Yoga toes - gel toe spacers that help spread your toes, relax your foot...and I was able to do the grabbing motion to strengthen my toes.

Let's share our ideas!!

debbie g · 04-26-2008, 01:19 PM

i also found that compression socks may help with the swelling. elevating and resting are essential. this is a great thread!

lcweiden3132 · 04-26-2008, 02:24 PM

I often wondered if the compression socks would have been ideal in my case...I think maybe the scar would have "mushed" down much quicker than it has and I think the skin would have become more flexible quicker than it has. I'm definitely going to give this a try with the next foot! Thanks debbie!

armykat · 04-26-2008, 03:00 PM

I absolutely second the compression sock. It helped keep the swelling down in the few weeks after surgery. Even now, I wear it while I exercise, and the swelling is so minimal afterwards.

debbie g · 04-27-2008, 10:33 AM

i still wear it, also. what kind do you wear?