Surgery of the Hand and Upper Extremity

Robert Q. Terrill, MD PC 123 Summer St. Suite #685 Worcester, MA 01608 Surgery of the Hand and Upper Extremity www.worcesterhandcenter.com Ph 508 363-6446 Fax 508 363-7117

Postoperative Instructions for patients having Needle Aponeurotomy

1. Keep your hand elevated above your heart for the next 48 hours. 2. Keep your dressing on for the first 2-3 days. When you change it, reapply a thin dressing. Keep it dry for 3-5 days. Use a plastic bag to cover your hand when showering or washing. 3. Ice should be placed in a plastic bag and put over the site of surgery. It should be used a maximum of 30 minutes out of every hour for the first 48 hours. 4. Make sure the fingertips are pink and warm. 5. Make sure to move the fingers. This includes full flexion of the fingers and thumb – not just “wiggling”. 6. I would avoid any friction to the palm or fingers like shoveling, raking, tennis, etc for the first 5 days. 7. Take the pain medication as needed for the first 48 hours. This procedure should not be especially painful. Pain medicine is rarely needed. You may use Motrin/Aleve (if tolerated) starting 24 hours after surgery. 8. Do not drive until you regain good control of your hand. I have found that this often takes 3-4 days. 9. If you note any fever, chills, significant or smelly drainage, pain that is getting worse not better, or any other problems or questions, please call the office. 10. The sheet I have included is the peak scar response. This is why the scar is red and raised initially and why scar massage, desensitization, etc. are important. 11. At the hospital/surgical facility, you might be given written or verbal postoperative instructions different from ours. You are to follow our instructions. You might be told to make a postoperative appointment. You already have an appointment on your booking papers. Call the office if you are unsure of the date or time. 12. A copy of these instructions is on the website www.worcesterhandcenter.com