Ice or heat to rehab a foot after surgery?

Depends on timing: Immediately after surgery, ice is most likely to help with pain, and inflammation and will also help with swelling. Some surgeons use ice machines. After the initial inflammatory period, and after your surgeon has cleared you, you can start using heat alternating with ice. Remember, don't ice or heat more than 20 minutes at a time, every hour. Probably diminishing returns after 3-4 times a day.

Both can be helpful : Depending on situation. Generally ice for first 72 hours. Then after that often alternating ice and heat are used.

Rehab: It depends on where you are in the post operative period. Early on you will want to use ice. Later , if edema is persistent, alternating ice and heat to act as a pump is very helpful. See you surgeon as well . Good luck.