Before you go in for wrist or hand surgery, it is important to consider these 5 Tips When Recovering from a Recent Hand or Wrist Surgery and make living arrangements that will facilitate your continuous recovery post-op.
Giving your wrist or hand all the rest it will need is a very important aspect of the healing process.
5 Tips When Recovering from a Recent Hand or Wrist Surgery
This means that the hand that has just been operated on will be indisposed for quite some time, making it difficult for you to accomplish a lot of everyday tasks that you were used to doing before your hand was injured, prior to the surgery.
As such, arranging your home to promote your post-operation recovery and independence should be a priority for you and your support team. It’s a task that should be taken care of as soon as your procedure is scheduled by any hand surgeon Singapore hospitals are affiliated with.
How Long Does the Recovery Period Last?
There are a few factors that determine the length of time that your hand will need before you can use it as you normally would. Among the major considerations are the severity of the injury or condition that needs to be fixed and the type of surgery it requires.
A surgery that is intended to fix a stress fracture, for example, will require a healing period of between 6 and 14 weeks, while tendon repair surgery needs a healing period of up to 12 weeks. It also takes about 6 months for the wrist to recover its full scale of movement after this particular procedure.
When preparing for a wrist or hand surgery, ask your surgeon about the recovery timeline for patients with cases that are similar to yours. This way, you can sufficiently anticipate the level of support you need during the healing and recovery period.
Once this detail has been taken care of, go over this list of tips to ensure that the said time will be safer and easier for you.
Acquire Assistance from Your Support Group
Since one of your hands will be out of commission for an extended period, you’ll need an extra pair to make your recovery process as smooth as possible. Now would be the best time to get the practical assistance of your friends and family members.
Perhaps one of them can temporarily live with you and handle all the chores that require a strong grip, eye-hand coordination, and fine motor skills. At the very least, you need a reliable individual who can drive you to and from the medical facility where the procedure is set to be completed.
Make a Timeline of Events Leading To and After the Surgery
While a lot of preparation needs to be done before a surgery, there’s also much that you need to do and take note of after the procedure has been completed. To keep up with all these activities and reminders, you can get a calendar and perhaps plot out your recovery timeline.
Among the events you should be marking are the meetings and appointments that you must attend post-op. You can also make a record of the dates when you’re supposed to hit milestones, such as taking your bandages off or when you’re supposed to start rehabilitating the affected hand or wrist.
Plan in Advance for the Care of Your Dependents
If you have pets or young children who are entirely dependent on you for their needs, then you also must prepare them for the possibility of being temporarily cared for by friends or family members. In case you’re a dog owner, for example, you can ask a relative to come over for a few days to feed and walk your canine companion.
It’s also an option to look for a facility where your pet can stay for a few days. This way, once the procedure is done, you can focus solely on your recovery and not immediately worry about the care of your children and pets.
Organize Your Home to Facilitate Easy Access
Before the procedure takes place, you need to take into account the things that you use on a daily basis, such as dining implements and hygiene supplies. Next, you need to place these tools on more accessible surfaces such as nearby tables and chairs.
This way, you can reach them without putting additional strain on your recovering wrist or hand. Among the implements and supplies that you’ll be glad to have are straws for drinking, especially on the first few days after the surgery.
You’ll also need a supply of plastic bags to keep the affected area dry while you’re taking a bath or freshening up.
Prepare Your Meals Beforehand or Arrange for Deliveries
Cooking is an activity that requires the use of dexterous fingers and a fair amount of eye-hand coordination, and you’ll have trouble showcasing those immediately after the surgery.
To make your life easier and meet your needs for more nutritious meals, you can do some meal prep on the days leading to the surgery. Having your food delivered to your door is a quick and convenient, if a bit pricey, option as well.
In addition to these tips, it’s also a must to follow your doctor’s advice to the letter. Should your doctor recommend against lifting heavy objects for a set period, adhere to this advice so as not to compromise the healing process. This will reduce the chances that your hand or wrist will require another surgery and a longer recovery period.
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