Food
Eat what you want.
Dressing
Sometimes we apply the dressing very tightly after surgery. Feel free to unwrap and re-wrap it after an hour or two to make yourself more comfortable. You may remove the dressing and apply Band-Aids (or another dressing of your choice) after 48 hours. Keep the dressing and incision dry for 48 hours; after that it may get wet, but do not soak it or get it dirty until it heals (usually 2–3 weeks).
Activity
Keep your hand elevated for 24 hours to reduce swelling and pain. You may do anything your pain allows. Most people return to light duties in about 2 days, and many return to heavy activity in about 4 days — though it can take as long as 4 weeks.
Blood Clots
Blood clots are rare after upper-extremity surgery.
Swelling
The best way to reduce swelling is to elevate your hand. Ice also helps if you do not have a cast or splint.
Physical Therapy
You will not need physical therapy. I do want you to stretch and move your hand as much as you can tolerate after surgery.
Medications
For the best pain control, alternate over-the-counter ibuprofen and Tylenol — for example, take regular Tylenol, then ibuprofen 2 hours later. Do not take more than the daily dose shown on the label for either one.
Narcotics
Narcotics are not needed after this procedure.
Numbness
Numbness lasts a few hours after surgery. If your numbness does not improve after a few days, please make an appointment for evaluation.
Post Operative Visits
Make an appointment 4 weeks after surgery if you'd like. Most people do not need to follow up.
When to Call / Emergencies
Call the office or go to the ER if you experience any of the following:
- Increased redness at incision site
- Pain that is uncontrolled and increasing over hours
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Fever > 101.5°F or shaking chills
- Painful swelling
If this is a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Don't know which number to call? Every clinic's emergency and daytime number is on one page — worth saving to your phone before surgery.