Do You Get a Catheter During Foot Surgery? What to Know

September 21, 2025 •

4 min read

While it is a common concern for patients, a urinary catheter is not required for most routine foot surgeries. Whether or not you get a catheter during foot surgery depends on specific factors like the surgery's duration and type of anesthesia.

Quick Summary

Getting a catheter during foot surgery is not routine; a urinary catheter is typically only used for long procedures, specific anesthesia, or patient-specific needs. A separate type, a nerve block catheter, may be used for targeted pain management after the operation.

Key Points

Not Routine: A urinary catheter is not standard for most foot surgeries, especially short ones.
Urinary vs. Nerve Block: There are two types; a urinary catheter drains the bladder, while a nerve block catheter delivers pain medication.
When It's Needed: A urinary catheter may be necessary for prolonged procedures or specific health conditions.
Pain Management: A nerve block catheter can be used post-surgery to reduce pain and opioid use, improving recovery.
Key Factors: Surgery length, type of anesthesia, and a patient's overall health are key factors in determining catheter use.
Discuss with Care Team: Always talk to your surgeon and anesthesiologist to understand your specific needs and options.

The two types of catheters used in orthopedic surgery

When discussing catheters in the context of foot surgery, it is important to distinguish between two different types, as they serve entirely different purposes.

Urinary Catheters

A urinary, or Foley, catheter is a thin, flexible tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine. It is typically used during surgery for the following reasons:

Long surgical cases: For procedures lasting more than a few hours, a catheter prevents the bladder from becoming overfilled.
Accurate fluid monitoring: In complex cases or for patients with other health concerns, monitoring urine output is essential to assess kidney function and fluid balance.
Immobility after surgery: For some patients, especially those with mobility issues or having other major joint surgeries, a catheter can be placed for a short time to improve comfort and facilitate recovery. However, this is less common for foot surgery.

Nerve Block Catheters

This is a completely different device, often referred to as a continuous peripheral nerve block (CPNB) catheter. Its purpose is not to drain fluid but to manage pain post-operatively by delivering a local anesthetic directly to the nerves in the area. For foot and ankle surgery, this catheter is typically placed near the nerves in the thigh or behind the knee.

Extended pain relief: It provides continuous pain relief for several days, significantly reducing the need for opioid medication.
Improved recovery: By providing effective pain control, it allows for earlier and easier movement during physical therapy, which can speed up recovery.
Enhanced comfort: It can help minimize discomfort during the initial stages of healing.

Factors that determine the use of a catheter

For most foot surgery procedures, a urinary catheter is not necessary. The decision to use one is based on several patient and procedural factors.

Length of surgery: Surgeries that last less than a couple of hours generally do not require a urinary catheter.
Type of anesthesia: Some types of regional anesthesia, like a spinal block, can temporarily affect your ability to urinate. In these cases, a temporary catheter might be used. General anesthesia can also make it difficult to urinate immediately after waking up.
Patient health: Pre-existing conditions, such as urinary incontinence or an enlarged prostate, may make a urinary catheter a more practical option.
Nerve block placement: As mentioned, a nerve block catheter is a specialized device for pain relief, not urine drainage. It is not part of the standard procedure but is an option for pain management.

Potential risks of urinary catheterization

While generally safe, placing a urinary catheter does carry some risks and is a primary reason why medical teams try to avoid its routine use when unnecessary.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs): This is the most common complication and can prolong a hospital stay.
Discomfort and mobility issues: Having a drainage tube can be uncomfortable and restrict a patient's movement, especially immediately after surgery.
Urethral trauma: Though rare, complications like urethral injury can occur during insertion or removal.

A comparison of catheters for foot surgery

To help differentiate, here is a quick comparison of the two main types of catheters that could potentially be used.


Feature	Urinary (Foley) Catheter	Nerve Block (CPNB) Catheter
Purpose	Drains urine from the bladder	Delivers local anesthetic for pain
Placement	Into the bladder via the urethra	Near a nerve bundle, e.g., in the thigh
Duration	Removed shortly after surgery or when mobile	Worn for a few days post-surgery
Risks	UTI, discomfort, mobility restriction	Potential numbness, weakness, infection
Usage in Foot Surgery	Less common; used for long procedures	Optional for pain management, common in some cases

What to discuss with your surgical team

To clear up any concerns, it is best to speak directly with your surgeon or anesthesiologist before the procedure. Here are a few questions you might consider asking:

Will my surgery require a urinary catheter? If so, why?
How long will the surgery take? Does the duration increase the chance of needing a urinary catheter?
Is a nerve block catheter an option for pain management? What are the benefits and risks for my specific case?
What alternatives are available if a urinary catheter is deemed necessary? (e.g., intermittent catheterization).

Conclusion

In summary, it is not standard practice to receive a urinary catheter during most foot surgeries. Their use is reserved for longer procedures, specific types of anesthesia, or particular patient health needs. However, a different type of catheter, a nerve block catheter, is an option to manage post-operative pain, which is beneficial for many patients. Open communication with your surgical team is the best way to understand the specifics of your procedure and recovery.

For more information on the safety and efficacy of nerve block catheters, see the Hospital for Special Surgery's health library here: Nerve Block Catheter: Improving Pain Relief After Surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a urinary catheter is not always necessary with general anesthesia for foot surgery. For short procedures, it's generally avoided. It is more common for longer surgeries (over a few hours) or if other factors, like a nerve block, are involved.

A nerve block catheter for pain management is typically worn for a few days after foot surgery. It provides continuous pain relief, often reducing the need for oral opioids, and is removed at home or in a follow-up appointment.

If a urinary catheter is needed, alternatives like intermittent catheterization or external catheters might be considered, depending on the patient's condition. For many short procedures, no catheter is needed at all, and patients can use a bedside commode or urinal.

Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) after surgery can include fever, chills, pain or burning during urination, frequent urge to urinate, or cloudy and strong-smelling urine. If you experience these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

For most outpatient foot surgeries, it is unlikely you will need a urinary catheter. These procedures are typically shorter, and mobility is less impacted than with major joint replacements. The decision still depends on the procedure and patient specifics.

Some patients have temporary difficulty urinating after a catheter is removed, a condition known as postoperative urinary retention. If you feel that your bladder is full but cannot urinate, you should inform your nurse. They can use a bladder scanner to check urine volume and may reinsert the catheter temporarily if needed.

A urinary catheter can slightly restrict mobility, especially if it remains in place after surgery. However, a nerve block catheter is designed to be mobile, often with a small carrying case for the pump, allowing for earlier movement and physical therapy.