What Are the Post-Operative Instructions for Wrist Fracture?

What to Expect:

The local anesthetic can make your hand areas feel numb for 8 to 12 hours.

You will have a moderate amount of pain for the first 3 to 4 days; this could be adequately addressed by the oral narcotic pain medicine as prescribed when you left the day surgery suite: like Oxycodone or Vicodin.

It is normal to experience swelling after the surgery, particularly in your fingers. The surgeons use orthopedic implants in surgery of wrist such as wrist fusion plate, 2.0 mm LCP adaptation plate, condylar plate, LCP Straight plate which can be obtained by Top ortho Implants Manufacturers. Measures that are helpful to relieve in selling involve elevating the hand above your heart on some pillows and draping a plastic bag full of crushed ice over your fingers, splint, and dressing. Place a dishtowel or small hand towel over your arm and hand first thus the dressing does not get wet.

You can loosen your outside ace wrap if the dressing feels extremely tight.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS:

To keep your hand from throbbing it may be useful to elevate your hand above your heart. When lying on your back if you place your hand on a pillow you may place your hand inside the pillow case in order that your hand won’t fall off the pillow.

Keep a plastic bag over your hand and forearm when showering (keep the dressing dry).

If you experience any worrisome symptoms like a fever higher than 101.5 degrees or markedly augmented pain, contact the doctor.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:

Leave the post-operative dressing on till you come back to the clinic for dressing removal and placing of a brace or cast, which will be around 9-14 days after your surgery. You can start a gentle range of motion exercises with your fingers only. This should consist of lightly flexing and extending your fingers. You can use your hand for light activities like eating, dressing, typing, etc.

FOLLOW-UP:

Schedule a post-operative appointment for 9 to14 days after the surgery. At this visit, your post-operative dressing is removed. Your sutures also will be removed at this time. A cast can be applied at this visit, or if the internal fixation enables for early motion, a removable splint can be applied.