Elevate your operated arm, especially for the first two to three days. You may prop it up on two pillows or lay your arm over your chest while lying down. When you are sitting up in a reclining chair, elevate your arm on several pillows so that your arm is at the level of your heart.
Finger motion is encouraged. Some swelling is to be expected and finger motion often helps to decrease the swelling.
Use your prescribed pain medication as needed. As an alternative, you may use over-the-counter pain medication, if adequate and preferred; "Extra Strength Tylenol" or "Motrin" is recommended. You may be given a prescription for oral antibiotics for the first two to three days following surgery if the physicians deems this to be necessary. These decisions are based on underlying medical conditions. Please take these medications as directed.
You may experience persistent numbness in your fingers following surgery. On occasion, worsening of numbness may be seen due to local tissue swelling after surgery. Please do not be alarmed by these symptoms as they are not unusual. Should entire hand numbness, increasing or severe pain, a temperature above 101°, or marked redness about the forearm occur, please notify your physician.
Please call the office the next business day following surgery to schedule an appointment for approximately 10-14 days after your surgery. You can reach the scheduling secretary at
| Owings Mills |
(410) 484-8088 |
| Westminster |
(410) 876-8077 |
| Eldersburg |
(410) 549-5780 |
Should you have any problems, please call the respective office. A physician is on call 24 hours a day and can be reached through the answering office by calling the regular office phone number.
It is not unusual to experience some nausea or to feel tired after surgery. Fluids are to be encouraged. In addition, a light diet for the first 12 to 24 hours after surgery is recommended.
Please keep your splint and post operative dressings dry and in place until your follow-up visit. When bathing following surgery, it is advisable to cover the splint and bandages with a plastic bag, which you can then fasten at the level of the forearm.
