The following information is general. Dr Chan will give you further specific instructions.

Dressings

Please keep your dressing intact until your first post-operative appointment with Dr Chan or your hand therapist.

Swelling

Swelling is a natural response to injury and surgery. It generally increases over the first 2-3 days and gradually subsides. Swelling is simply fluid in the soft tissues. Fluid runs “downhill”. If the hand and wrist is kept above the heart level, this will help to minimise swelling. The best way of keeping the hand and wrist elevated is to rest it on the opposite shoulder and support the elbow with your opposite hand. Some patients will be given a foam elevation pillow to help keep the hand and wrist upright whilst sleeping.

Splints or Plasters

If you leave hospital with a splints or plaster, it has been applied to immobilise and protect the operative site. Keep the splint on until your first post-operative appointment with Dr Chan or your hand therapist. Don’t forget to move joints that have not been splinted.

Driving

The time it takes for you to resume driving will depend upon the type of injury and operation you have had. First and foremost, you must not drive until you have recovered from the effects of the anaesthetic, usually between 12 and 24 hours. Beyond that, driving is really something between you and your insurance company. In essence, you need to have sufficient dexterity to control the vehicle and not be distracted by pain.

Return to work

The time it takes to return to work will depend on the type of work you do, and your particular condition. For minor conditions and sedentary work, it may be only a day or two. For more significant conditions and manual work, it may be several months. Worker’s Compensation patients will usually have a rehabilitation consultant, appointed by their insurer, who will design a graduated return to work program. Dr Chan will discuss these issues with you during your pre-operative consultation.

Post-operative appointment

This will also depend upon the type of injury and operation you have had. Some operations require review after only a few days. Most patients will be seen 1 to 2 weeks after surgery.