If you have injured your wrist in any way, it will take time for it to heal. However, there are situations where your doctor will recommend wrist surgery as treatment. After the surgery, it is essential to treat the recovery process with the utmost value to ensure proper healing and restoration of your wrist’s mobility.
What To Expect After Wrist Surgery?
Wrist surgery is necessary for a lot of wrist-related issues and injuries. If you get wrist surgery, here is what to expect during your recovery:
A Few Weeks of Rest
Depending on the type of wrist surgery you get done, your recovery can be anywhere from 4 – 12 weeks. Most patients are able to heal in about a month and can begin rehabilitation soon after. During the healing period, you should wear appropriate casts or braces as directed by your surgeon. You should also refrain from overusing your wrist or moving it in ways your surgeon has told you not to. Doing so can cause further damage to the wrist, delaying your recovery.
Pain and Swelling Post-Surgery
After your wrist surgery, you are likely to feel some pain, aching, and swelling in the wrist. Your doctor will prescribe medications and other treatments to help with these symptoms. If you notice redness, heat, or discharge at the site of the surgery, speak with your surgeon immediately. While it is normal to feel pain and aching after wrist surgery, redness, heat, and discharge are signs of infection.
Wound Care
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to take care of your wound after wrist surgery. This will include when and how to change bandages, warning signs to look out for, and check-in appointments with the surgeon to assess the healing progress. During the wound care period, you may need assistance from a loved one when changing bandages and cleaning the wound. While your wound heals, you should give your wrist a lot of rest. Refrain from overusing the wrist as much as possible, so it can heal quickly and properly.
Rehabilitation of the Wrist
After your surgery wound heals, your surgeon will recommend you begin rehabilitation. This can be through physical or occupational therapy. A physical or occupational therapist will work with you to strengthen your wrist. You will also work on improving flexibility and mobility. This is done through a series of exercises and stretches performed with the therapist and at home on your own. You should expect to perform rehabilitation for several weeks following wrist surgery for better results.
Wrist Surgery in Maryland
If you are looking for a hand or wrist orthopedic specialist for your orthopedic needs, the providers at the Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland would love to help. Our experts have years of experience and will help you from the time you walk in to get an accurate diagnosis to post-operative rehabilitation.
We serve patients from all over the area, including Catonsville, Columbia, Eldersburg, and Ellicott, Maryland. Give us a call at (410) 644-1880 today to make an appointment. You can also request an appointment online.
