Hand surgery is a specialist sector that requires medications, pharmacological therapies and dedicated rehabilitation treatments for the care of people suffering from trauma or hand diseases, often in a highly qualified multidisciplinary context.

How to start taking care of your hand?
First of all, it is advisable to be clear about the various aspects of your pathology: if even after the conversation with the surgeon or therapist there are still doubts or apprehensions regarding your diagnosis, your surgical and post-operative treatment or your rehabilitation, do not hesitate to ask for further explanations and to consult with the specialist when you show up for the visit.

Some simple recommendations to follow after hand surgery

  • To prevent or reduce swelling, keep the hand in an elevated position, supporting it at heart level with a neck bandage when going out or resting it on pillows when finding yourself at home (see illustrations below).
Mano_Alta_ postop_FENICE
  • Do not remove the bandage (bandages) or the splint that immobilizes the hand before the check-up, unless there have been specific instructions to do so.
  • Some people have to change their bandages often and take small baths in disinfectant (Amuchina). If this also applies to you, you will receive specific indications and instructions on what to do.
  • Keep the bandage dry. If the bandage gets wet, have it changed as soon as possible by your general practitioner or at the nearest emergency room.
  • Apply ice to the operated or swollen part, keeping the limb elevated. Be careful not to apply ice directly to the skin (use a cloth towel as an interface) and use for no more than 10 minutes at a time. Repeat 3-4 times a day.

We recommend contacting your surgeon urgently if:

  • You experience constant or shooting pain that is not relieved by raising your hand or taking simple painkillers.
  • Your hand or arm becomes swollen, purple, or numb.
  • The wound bleeds through the bandage.
  • You get a high fever.

Some exercises to perform after surgery or after the application of a splint

  • It is important to start mobilizing every joint free from the bandage or splint as soon as possible.v
  • Your rehabilitation therapist or doctor will tell you how many exercises you need. Following the images in the illustration on the side, close the fingers of the hand slowly and maintain the position at the end of the stroke for 3-4 seconds, repeat at least 10 times every hour: it is extremely useful for reducing swelling and preventing the appearance of stiffness.
  • It is important to remember to also mobilize the shoulder and elbow of the operated arm. Raise your arm above your head and behind your neck at least 10 times a day, opening and closing your fingers.
  • This will help you avoid stiffness in the shoulder and elbow. These simple exercises can greatly improve the outcome of any surgery.

The work of the Patient in Physiotherapy (and at home) is as important as the work of the Surgeon in the Operating Room.

The most disappointing results are often in patients who do not follow the recommended exercises both in the physiotherapy clinic and at home. The most motivated and assiduous patients in doing the exercises obtain excellent results. To obtain the best result, a significant sacrifice is also required from the patient: for many hours, every day. The therapist is like a coach, but the work must be done by the patient, with consistency and dedication: the absolute minimum is a daily commitment for at least 5 half-hour sessions a day.

Some information on check-up visits

When you are discharged after surgery, you will be made an appointment for a check-up at the clinic where you were operated on. Alternatively, you can choose to book a visit to the clinic where the hand surgeon closest to your area of residence visits. Often you can also make an appointment with the therapist at the same time for the manufacturing of the post-operative splint or for the start of physiotherapy.

It is important that you attend check-ups so that your hand continues to be cared for properly. If you are unable to go to the appointment, do not give up, contact the specialist to change the date.

When you go to the hand clinic to undergo examinations or therapy, your stay could extend for several hours. This is due to the fact that the staff must carefully evaluate the conditions of the patients who come for a check-up or undergo a first visit and make sure that treatment and rehabilitation are best suited to the different specific needs. Normally we try to respect all the times set for visits, but often the clinic staff is