Postop Advice & Instructions
Keep your hand elevated at or above heart level for at least 48 hours after your operation - this improves pain, reduces swelling and aids healing.
Keep your dressings dry and do not remove until review.
Do not change your dressings unless you have been specifically instructed to do so.
For bathing place a plastic bag over your dressings and keep your hand elevated.
Only remove your splint or plaster if you have been specifically instructed to do so by a hand therapist or surgeon.
During your operation local anaesthetic has been used to relieve pain post-operatively. It usually wears off after 6-24 hours. When the numbness starts to go you will experience some throbbing, discomfort or pain.
At this stage it is wise to take your prescribed pain killers so that you are comfortable.
Early movement of after surgery as this speeds recovery. However, you must not move any joints that are immobilised with a splint unless specifically instructed to do so by your hand therapist and surgeon.
Do not smoke. Smoking reduces blood flow to the fingers by 42% and reduces healing.
Do not drive until you have been advised that it is safe to do so.
Keep your dressings dry and do not remove until review.
Do not change your dressings unless you have been specifically instructed to do so.
For bathing place a plastic bag over your dressings and keep your hand elevated.
Only remove your splint or plaster if you have been specifically instructed to do so by a hand therapist or surgeon.
During your operation local anaesthetic has been used to relieve pain post-operatively. It usually wears off after 6-24 hours. When the numbness starts to go you will experience some throbbing, discomfort or pain.
At this stage it is wise to take your prescribed pain killers so that you are comfortable.
Early movement of after surgery as this speeds recovery. However, you must not move any joints that are immobilised with a splint unless specifically instructed to do so by your hand therapist and surgeon.
Do not smoke. Smoking reduces blood flow to the fingers by 42% and reduces healing.
Do not drive until you have been advised that it is safe to do so.