The following general guidelines will help make your recovery as smooth as possible.
- IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR YOU TO HAVE SOMEONE AVAILABLE TO TAKE YOU HOME AFTER YOUR SURGERY. You are not allowed to leave the hospital unaccompanied after surgery.
- KEEP YOUR HAND ELEVATED. Surgery always results in swelling. Most of the pain and stiffness right after surgery is due to internal pressure from swelling. To relieve the pressure, keep your hand higher than your elbow to drain fluid out of your hand. For at least the first week after surgery, keep your hand up as much as possible - day and night. If you had your elbow operated on try to keep your elbow elevated as much as possible. You do not need to wear a sling unless it helps you keep your hand or elbow elevated.
- Swelling may make the cast or bandage tight which will cause more pain and swelling. IF YOU FEEL THAT YOUR CAST OR BANDAGE IS TOO TIGHT, PLEASE CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY. I would rather change it than for you to have a problem.
- KEEP YOUR BANDAGE DRY UNTIL YOU ARE SEEN BY THE THERAPIST OR BY MYSELF AND INSTRUCTED IN HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR WOUND. Wounds heal with the fewest problems if they are kept clean and dry. When bathing, protect your bandage in a cast guard (if you received one from the hospital) or a plastic bag. If your bandage gets wet on the inside, it should be changed, not simply allowed to dry. I would rather change your cast or bandage than risk a problem with your wound.
- In general, if the therapist has already changed your initial postoperative dressing and you have been instructed in wound care you may get your wound wet with clean running water (not well water) S days after surgery unless you have been instructed not to.
- BRUISING OR BLEEDING IS COMMON AFTER SURGERY. Bandages often become stained with blood on the day of surgery. Bruising often worsens several days after surgery. Bruising or bleeding is usually not a source for concern unless accompanied by steady drainage, worsening pain, or progressive swelling.
- Following surgery the tendency will be not to want to move the unoperated parts of the extremity. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THOSE JOINTS THAT WERE NOT OPERATED ON MOVING SO THEY DON'T GET STIFF. Every two hours while awake, do this four times:
- Within your bandage, try to make a strong fist, and then try to fully straighten your fingers (unless you had one of your fingers or thumb operated on then don't move the operated digit unless you have been instructed to).
- Fully bend and straighten out your elbow (unless you had your elbow operated on).
- Raise your arm straight above your head (as though you were trying to touch the ceiling) then put both arms behind your back and try to touch your shoulder blades with both your thumbs (this exercise will help keep your shoulders from getting stiff).
- Wear loose fitting clothing to the hospital as you will likely be wearing a cast or splint on your arm.
- SMOKING interferes with healing and makes painful problems more painful. Problems after surgery are more likely if you smoke, especially if you keep smoking after surgery; TRY NOT TO SMOKE.
- INFECTION SHOULD BE SUSPECTED IF THERE IS REDNESS, PAIN OR SWELLING THAT GETS WORSE OVER THE COURSE OF THE DAY OR NIGHT, DESPITE ELEVATING THE HAND OR IF YOU DEVELOP A FEVER OF CHILLS. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE. ANY CONCERNS ABOUT INFECTION
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS OR PROBLEMS PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL ME.