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Discharge Instructions For Hand Surgery

The following instructions will help you in the postoperative care of your hand or upper extremity.  If you have any problems or questions, please feel free to call Dr. Naam, or Dr. Stewart. If they are not available, please call or come to the Emergency Room of St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Effingham, IL (217) 347-1211.

1.      It is extremely important to KEEP THE OPERATED HAND ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE HEART at all times.  The elevation will reduce the amount of swelling which will improve significantly any pain that you might experience.  The upper extremity could be elevated on two or three pillows at your side.  In order to prevent stiffness of the elbows and the shoulders, please elevate the hand above the level of the head with complete extension of the elbow and the shoulder for four or five times every hour.  The elevation of the hand should be also continued at night.

2.      Unless you are instructed otherwise, it is important to EXERCISE ALL THE FINGERS OF THE OPERATED HAND WITH FULL FLEXION TO MAKE A FIST AND FULL EXTENSION TO MAKE THE FINGERS STRAIGHT.  The exercises should be performed almost continuously.  These exercises will prevent any stiffness of the fingers, and it will also prevent any swelling of the fingers or the hand; that will significantly improve any degree of pain.

3.      If you had a tendon repair, then follow the instructions that will be given to you at the hospital regarding movements of the fingers.  Usually with tendon repairs we don’t allow active movements of the fingers for three to five weeks depending on the location and the degree of the tendon injury.

4.      If you have a splint or a cast, please try to avoid pressing the splint or the cast against any hard surface or a sharp edge, because this may create an indentation in the cast or the splint which will form a sore in the skin underlying the splint. THE SPLINT AND THE CAST SHOULD BE KEPT DRY.  This can be achieved by covering the splint or the cast with a plastic bag when bathing or showering.

5.      Please DO NOT CHANGE THE DRESSING unless you are given other instructions.  The dressing will be changed when you come to the office for the postoperative visit.

6.      You may be prescribed a strong pain medication or antibiotics.  Please follow the label directions for taking the medications.  You should not drive or operate any machinery while you are taking the pain medication.  If any reactions from medication occur, please stop medication and contact me as soon as possible.

7.      If you should have any SEVERE PAIN that the pain medication does not help, SWELLING, BLUISH DISCOLORATION of the fingers or fingernails, NUMBNESS of the fingertips, or ELEVATED TEMPERATURE over 101°, please NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY or come to the Emergency Room.

8.      If you have not been given an appointment for a postoperative follow-up visit in the office, please contact our office the next business day for an appointment.  Our office number is (217) 347-3003.

 Cast Care

Nash H. Naam, M.D., F.A.C.S.     Patrick K. Stewart, M.D.