ELEVATE your hand above your heart to lessen swelling especially during the first 48 hours. Less swelling means less pain! If you have to walk around, hold your hand near your chest. DO NOT LET YOUR HAND HANG DOWN. If you are sent home with a sling, remove the sling when sitting or lying down and elevate your arm on pillows above the level of the heart.
Ice packs will keep swelling down, especially during the first 48 hours.
Wiggle your fingers at least every hour while awake unless the doctor tells you differently. Movement will help keep the swelling down. Caution! The nerve block generally lasts between 8-12 hours: protect your numb hand from injury as you won’t feel hot, cold or bumping into things.
Keep the dressing clean and dry. Do not remove until seen by Dr. Evans, usually 2 days later.
□ Anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen (Advil) are very useful to lessen swelling and pain,
It lessens your need for narcotic medications. If you are able to take Ibuprofen, take 600 mg
Ibuprofen (3 tabs) every 8 hours if normally you are allowed these medications.
□ Take Acetaminophen (Tylenol or APAP) 1000mg (2 extra strength tabs) every 6 hours.
□ Do not take additional Acetaminophen (Tylenol) if your narcotic pain medicine already has it.
The maximum dose of acetaminophen for short term postoperative period should not exceed 4000 mg per 24 hours.
WARNING SIGNS: If you have any of the following, call our office:
• The dressing is too tight, loose, soiled or wet
• Visible drainage on the dressing
• Increasing or returning numbness
• Abnormal skin color or temperature (cold, blue, white)
• Pain unrelieved by medication
• Nausea and vomiting you cannot control
• Fever over 100.0 after the first 48 hours
• A wound that is red, swollen, or shows pus or red streaking up the arm
CALL DR. EVANS OFFICE AT 541-754-1276 FOR QUESTIONS.
AFTER HOURS CALL ORTHOPEDICS AT 541-754-1150
