What to Expect from Hand Surgery
The thought of having surgery can be daunting, but most hand procedures are relatively straightforward and are performed as day surgery, meaning you can usually return home the same day.
My aim is for you to understand what to expect at each stage of your recovery, so that you feel prepared and confident before your surgery.
Your anaesthetic
Many hand procedures can be performed using a regional nerve block with sedation rather than a general anaesthetic. The nerve block makes your hand or arm numb during the procedure, while sedation helps you feel relaxed and comfortable.
My anaesthetist will discuss the options with you and recommend the safest and most appropriate approach for your particular surgery.
Your dressing
After surgery, your hand will be placed in a bulky dressing and, depending on the procedure, a half plaster cast.
One of the biggest inconveniences of hand surgery is keeping your dressing clean and dry. This is often more noticeable than patients expect because we use our hands for almost everything we do — showering, toileting, dressing, cooking and even simple everyday tasks can require a little more planning.
The good news is that this stage is temporary. Most wounds have healed sufficiently within 10–14 days, although the deeper tissues continue to heal for considerably longer depending on the type of surgery.
Please don't change your dressing yourself unless you have specifically been instructed to do so. Keeping the dressing intact helps protect the wound and lowers your risk of infection.
Moving your hand
Movement is an important part of recovery.
Unless you have been given different instructions, keep moving the joints that are not contained within your dressing or splint. This helps minimise stiffness and swelling.
Elevation and swelling
Some swelling and discomfort is expected after hand surgery.
For the first 24–48 hours, keeping your hand elevated above the level of your heart is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce swelling and improve comfort. When resting, support your arm on pillows so that your hand is comfortably elevated.
Hand therapy — we are a team
For many hand procedures, hand therapy is an essential part of your recovery.
Your therapist will guide your exercises, help manage swelling and stiffness, protect your repair when necessary, and progressively help you return to normal activities.
I see recovery as a team effort between surgeon, patient and hand therapist. The operation is only one part of the process — your rehabilitation and participation afterwards are equally important.
If you're worried, please call
It is completely normal to have questions after surgery, and no question is too small.
If you are concerned about your dressing, wound, pain, swelling, sensation or movement — or simply feel that something isn't quite right — please contact the rooms.
I would much rather you call and have your concerns addressed than sit at home worrying.
Every operation and every patient is different, so you will also receive specific instructions tailored to your particular procedure and recovery.
