This is the standard post-operative (after surgery) instruction sheet you’ll get after surgery. If the instructions don’t make sense for your situation, call Dr. Henley immediately at 479-521-2752 to make sure you understand your instructions.
Post-op Instructions
You have just had surgery by Dr. C. Noel Henley with Ozark Orthopaedics. You have a dressing on your hand that is used to reduce motion and prevent swelling. Please keep your hand elevated (higher than your heart) for the next 24 hours and from time to time, extend and flex (open and close) your fingers as much as possible within the dressing.
Keep your dressing clean and dry.
You may experience some temporary numbness in your fingers and staining of the dressing, but active bleeding is not normal.
Pain is normal after surgery. Pain pills will take the edge off, but will not take away pain completely.
Dr. Henley wants your surgery to be as successful as possible. If you have any problems (bleeding through the dressing, wound drainage, high fevers, excessive pain, etc.), please do not hesitate to call our office at 479-521-2752.
Follow-up Timing
Dressing removal in 3 days at home
For some smaller surgeries like carpal tunnel and trigger finger surgeries, you may be instructed to remove the dressing yourself at home in 3 days. If this is the case, you may get the incision wet in the shower normally each morning starting on the fourth day. Pat it dry afterwards and cover it with a non-occlusive band-aid (optional) so it gets some air. Don’t put any Neosporin or other magic goo on the incision.
You will still have a follow-up appointment in 10 days or so to look at your incision and remove sutures.
Dressing removal in 10 days at the office
In order to check your incision(s), reduce the size of your dressing and increase motion, we have scheduled an appointment for you in our office in 10-14 days. Sutures (stitches) will probably be removed at this visit.
Therapy
You may have an appointment already set up with a hand therapist before your visit with Dr. Henley – check your printed instruction sheet at the time of surgery for this information.
Typical Large Bulky Dressing
If you are having a fracture or tendon fixed, or other fairly large surgery, this is the type of post-operative (after surgery) dressing you’ll be in, starting on the day of surgery. This is designed to absorb any bleeding and provide protection for the first 7-10 days after surgery.
This dressing will be slightly different depending on the exact surgery you have done.
This type of dressing is changed either 10 days later in the office or 3-5 days later in the therapist’s office.
