Hand Surgery Post-op Care

Post-Operative Care Tips

Please follow this guide on how to care for your hand as it heals for the first 24 hours after your surgery:

Swelling

Mild swelling can be expected and may persist up to a few weeks after operation. Controlling the swelling helps to improve pain and speed up your recovery:

• If your fingers become numb or discoloured, remove the bandage/backslab

• For the first 5 days, please be reminded to keep your operated hand elevated above the level of your heart for better blood circulation by using a pillow when you are sitting or lying down

• Do the hand exercises that you have been taught

Wound care

• Please keep your dressings clean and dry

• Protect your dressing with a waterproof cover (such as a plastic bag) when showering

• You may use a wet cloth or tissue to wipe the unaffected fingers of the operated hand

• If the dressing gets wet, dirty or loose, go to a polyclinic or General Practitioner for a change of dressing

• The stitches are usually removed 14 days after surgery (unless otherwise instructed by your doctor)

• Avoid smoking as it may delay wound healing

Pain management

• The anaesthesia, in addition to providing pain relief, will result in hand numbness, weakness and tingling after surgery

• Sensation will come back slowly after 6-10 hours

• If severe numbness or weakness persists beyond 24 hours, please report to the clinic or emergency department

• Take your pain medication as directed

• Avoid drinking alcohol when you are taking your medication

• Rest your hand and avoid carrying heavy objects

How to Check Circulation

Colour

Compare the colour of the right and

Capillary Refill

On the injured limb, squeeze the tip of the finger. You could also press down on the fingernail. The area you squeezed or pressed should look white or lighter. Let go and see how long it takes for the colour to return.

The fingernails are pink.

Temperature

The fingernails are pale or bluish in colour. Try to wiggle your fingers.

Compare the temperature of the right and left hands

The area turns pink within 3 seconds or less (rapid).

The area takes longer than 3 seconds to turn pink (slow).

The fingers are warm.

The fingers are cool or cold. If the fingers are cold, cover them with a blanket and check them again in 1 hour.

Rehabilitation

• Do the hand exercises you have been taught to do by the Hand

Occupational Therapist

• Continue wearing the arm sling/ splints/casts as you have been taught until you regain your sensation and strength

Seek urgent medical attention if:

• You have a fever of 38°C or above

• You have severe pain over the operation site not relieved by the prescribed medication

• The hand that has been operated on becomes cold, blue or numb

• Your hand becomes red, swollen, foul smelling, or if there is any discharge (blood, fluid or pus) from the wound

Where to seek medical attention: You may contact our mainline at 6555 8000 for assistance during office hours.

In case of any emergency after office hours, please proceed to the Emergency Department.

Your follow up appointments will be at either of these clinics:

Admiralty Medical Centre, Level 3

• H31 Orthopaedic & Surgery Clinic & Acupuncture

• H32 Rehabilitation Centre

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Tower C

• C32, C33, C36, C37 Orthopaedic Surgery Clinic

Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities of the National Healthcare Group in the north of Singapore. It comprises Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun Community Hospital and community extensions such as Admiralty Medical Centre and Wellness Kampung. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg