As the hand is an extremely intricate part of the body, recovery from surgery always varies. Recovery times will depend upon the cause of the surgery as well as the type of surgery that was performed. In some cases, multiple surgeries are needed to rectify the underlying issue.
You Will Notice Some Pain
As with any surgery, pain is to be expected and can vary from mild to severe but can be managed with pain medications. After consulting with a hand surgeon, they will explain to you the possible scenarios in which could occur following your hand surgery:
To protect your hand following surgery, the hand may become immobilized by the use of splint or bandage. Some hand surgeons may suggest having the hand in a splint at night to keep it in place so that the recovery process can speed up or even to allow for better healing.
Expect to have limitations within the first few days or even weeks following the surgery to ensure proper healing. Your hand surgeon will provide you will the appropriate information in regards to work or physical limitation based upon your individual recovery needs. Physical therapy may be suggested so the hand can regain pre-surgery or pre-injury function.
After Hand Surgery
Post-operative care for the hand may include:
- Exercises for the hand
- Heat therapy
- Massage therapy
- Splinting
- Traction
- Bandages to reduce swelling
- Nerve stimulation
Surgery is the starting point of regaining complete function in your hand. Without the added rehabilitation, the hand may not function the way you and your hand surgeon had planned so it is best to stick to the plan that your physician had designed for you! Follow all post-operative care instructions and you should be well on your way to a successful recovery!
If you are looking for more information on hand surgeries or for a hand surgeon in Atlanta, call our AICA orthopedics team at (404) 855-2141 today for a consultation!
