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Hand /wrist recovery

This information is targeted at patients in the immediate recovery period after surgery.  It covers general instructions until the first follow-up visit usually in the first 2 weeks.   The information here is general and not specific to individual operations which have there own specific protocols found on this website or from your surgeon at Queenstown joint clinic.

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Splints and slings

Wound care

  • Leave your surgical dressings intact until your follow-up wound check at 7-14 days post-op.   Keep your wound dressings clean and dry.    Sometimes you may be given a cloth over-dressing or bandage that may be removed after 2 days; the waterproof under-dressing must be left intact.

  • The wound underneath is clean and sterile from operating theatre as long as the dressing is intact.   If the seal is broken, and especially if the dressing has become wet from bathing – get it redressed by the clinic nurse or your local doctor.  Do not wash the wound or bath in seawater – this will increase infection risk.

  • Some swelling and bruising is common after surgery.   Redness and warmth that extends past the edge of the dressing may be a sign of infection and a doctor should be consulted.   Please contact Dr Phoon’s office if this is a concern.

  •  In most cases stitches will need to be trimmed or remove at 7-14 days post-op.   The wound should be kept dry for at least 2 days after this.  Larger wounds on the forearm may have dis-solvable sutures.

  •  You should not swim until the wound is completely clean and dry.   This is usually not before 3 weeks.

USe left and right arrows to watch slideshow below

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Exercise and physiotherapy

  This is determined on a case-by-case basis.   The ability to exercise depends on the strength of your surgical repair/implants/sutures as well as the extent and condition of your injury.
  None-the-less, all patients in slings should still perform elbow and shoulder  exercises as well as neck stretches. to prevent these adjacent joints becoming stiff and deconditioned.

  Most cast and splints require attention to avoid unintended stiffess.  You will normally be given light finger exercises to be performed regularly in the initial weeks.
A specific program will be tailored to your needs, if you are unsure please contact Dr Phoon.

contact your surgeon urgently if you have any of the following:

  • You have increasing pain, swelling or redness.It is normal to have pain and swelling after most surgery especially in the first 2 days.

     This should normally be constantly improving and can be treated with rest, ice and elevation.

  • You temperatures (>38.0ºC), chills, fevers or night sweats.

  • Ongoing drainage of fluid or blood from your wound after 48 hours.

  • Chest pain, shortness of breath.

  • Other unexpected injury or symptoms.

  • your cast is lost by accident

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