Effective Hand Surgery Solutions

General post-operative instructions for hand surgery include elevating the hand, icing the surgical site, and moving unsplinted fingers as directed by your doctor to manage pain and swelling. Avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting, keep the dressing dry, and follow your surgeon's specific instructions for medication, wound care, and exercises. 
Activity and elevation 

Elevate your hand: Keep your hand elevated above the level of your heart as much as possible for the first 72 hours to help reduce swelling and pain.
Limit activity: Do not lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk and follow your surgeon's specific activity restrictions.
Move your fingers: Gently move any fingers not covered by the splint to reduce swelling and stiffness. 

Pain and swelling management 

Use ice packs: 

Apply ice packs to the surgical site for 20 minutes out of every hour for the first 48 hours, or as directed by your doctor.

Take pain medication: 

Take prescribed pain medication as directed. Be aware that pain medication can sometimes cause nausea, constipation, or itching; a doctor can prescribe anti-nausea medication if needed.

Stay hydrated: 

Drink plenty of non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated fluids, and eat light foods if you feel nauseous. 

Wound care

Keep the dressing clean and dry: 

• Do not get the dressing wet. If you need to wash the area, carefully use a warm cloth up to and around the dressing.
  

Change dressing: 

• Remove the initial large dressing 2-3 days after surgery, unless otherwise instructed, and replace it with a large Band-Aid over the Steri-Strips.

Avoid certain products: 

• Do not apply creams, fragrances, or alcohol to the incision site for at least one week. Avoid soaking the hand in water for long periods. 

Dressing Change Instructions:

•  It is okay to shower before removing your initial dressings, but be sure to cover the dressings with a plastic bag and keep them dry.  
• After removing the initial dressings, please wash the area with soap and water twice daily and reapply the dressings to the incision.
•  It is OK to shower and get your incision wet, but do NOT immerse the incision in a bath or tub.  
• If closed with nylon sutures: Antibiotic ointment of preference (Bacitracin works well, if not allergic to it), non-stick dressings such as Xeroform, 2x2 gauze pads for small incisions, 4x4 gauze pads for larger incisions, Kling or gauze rolls, 2 or 3-inch ace bandage for hand and wrist incisions, 4 or 6-inch ace bandage for around the elbow.
• If closed with steristrips: Gauze pads, Ace bandages, or Coban
• Obtain dressing supplies for 1-3 weeks 
• Call the office with any questions

Exercises

Follow instructions: Your surgeon will provide specific exercises, which you should perform as directed.
Move as able: Move un-splinted fingers regularly as instructed.
Start therapy: Physical therapy may begin within a day or two after surgery. 

When to call your doctor

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience a fever over 38 C (100.4 F), or new, different-colored discharge from the wound.

Seek medical attention for extreme pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, or a rapid heartbeat.
Call your doctor if numbness or tingling that was not present before surgery persists or worsens.

Contact your doctor if you have any signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as a rash, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the lips or face.