Early Functional Rehabilitation in Foot and Ankle Surgery

The traditional postoperative management of common foot and ankle procedures has involved a prolonged period of immobilization and nonweight bearing. The concern was loss of correction and fixation failure. However, it has been shown that a prolonged period of nonweight bearing can predispose patients possible deep vein thrombosis, disuse osteopenia, cardiovascular complications, and generalized deconditioning. The authors' institution has published studies reviewing the efficacy of early weight bearing after first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis, modified Lapidus bunionectomy, and open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures. This article highlights the literature and rationale supporting the safety of early weight-bearing protocols.