Pain and swelling recover on different timelines. Acute surgical pain typically improves substantially during the first one to two weeks, although tenderness and intermittent aching can persist. Swelling is slower. It may remain obvious for several months and can temporarily worsen when normal shoes, longer walks or exercise are reintroduced.
The useful measure is the trend. Recovery is rarely perfectly linear, but the overall direction should be toward less pain, easier function and gradually improving swelling. A significant new deterioration after previous improvement should not be dismissed as normal.
Elevate after periods of activity and avoid long uninterrupted standing early.
Use cold therapy only if advised, protecting the skin and keeping the dressing dry.
Do not judge the final shoe size or appearance while swelling is still evolving.
Expect the operated foot to tire before the other foot when activity first increases.
Why does swelling increase in the evening?
Gravity and accumulated daytime activity increase fluid in the foot. This is common, but swelling accompanied by increasing redness, heat, wound drainage, calf symptoms or systemic illness requires review.