Discharge Instructions for ORIF of Wrist

 

You had wrist surgery. This surgery is performed for a wrist fracture (broken bone). Your broken bones have been put together and held steady by use of plates, rods, pins and/or screws. A cut through the skin over the fracture was made to put these devices into the fracture. The metal devices may need to be removed  in 1-2 years or before if they begin to cause a problem. Here are instructions that will help you care for your ankle when you are at home.

Activity

  • Slowly increase your activity

  • No pushing, pulling or straining with your hand (vacuuming, shoveling, sweeping, etc.).

  • A supportive dressing, splint, or cast with sling may be applied after surgery to protect your wrist as it heals. The length of time you need to wear the cast or splint depends on how well your bones heal. This may take 6-12 weeks or longer.

  • Exercise the casted limb, as instructed by your doctor.

  • Use the sling whenever up and about.

  • Never drive if you are taking narcotic pain medication.

Home Care

  • You may shower in 48 hours. Carefully cover your wrist with plastic to keep the dressing, splint, or cast dry.  Never put anything  between your skin and your cast.

  • Take pain medication as directed.

  • Keep your hand or arm elevated above the level of your heart to reduce swelling or throbbing. At night prop it up with pillows.

Follow-Up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

 

 

When to Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 right away if you have any of the following:

  • Chest pain

  • Shortness of breath

  • Painful calf that is tender and warm to the touch

Otherwise, call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:

  • Increased swelling in your hand or fingers

  • Fever above 101°F (by mouth) or shaking chills

  • Numbness, tingling or loss of feeling in your hand

  • A change in the color (dark or pale)  or temperature of your fingers (hot or cold).

  • Increased bleeding or drainage from the incision

  • Swelling, redness or opening of the incision

  • Foul odor from the incision or dressing

  • Increased pain not helped by your pain medication

  • Any new problems or concerns

Discharge Instructions for ORIF of Wrist

 

You had wrist surgery. This surgery is performed for a wrist fracture (broken bone). Your broken bones have been put together and held steady by use of plates, rods, pins and/or screws. A cut through the skin over the fracture was made to put these devices into the fracture. The metal devices may need to be removed  in 1-2 years or before if they begin to cause a problem. Here are instructions that will help you care for your ankle when you are at home.

Activity

  • Slowly increase your activity

  • No pushing, pulling or straining with your hand (vacuuming, shoveling, sweeping, etc.).

  • A supportive dressing, splint, or cast with sling may be applied after surgery to protect your wrist as it heals. The length of time you need to wear the cast or splint depends on how well your bones heal. This may take 6-12 weeks or longer.

  • Exercise the casted limb, as instructed by your doctor.

  • Use the sling whenever up and about.

  • Never drive if you are taking narcotic pain medication.

Home Care

  • You may shower in 48 hours. Carefully cover your wrist with plastic to keep the dressing, splint, or cast dry.  Never put anything  between your skin and your cast.

  • Take pain medication as directed.

  • Keep your hand or arm elevated above the level of your heart to reduce swelling or throbbing. At night prop it up with pillows.

Follow-Up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

 

 

When to Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 right away if you have any of the following:

  • Chest pain

  • Shortness of breath

  • Painful calf that is tender and warm to the touch

Otherwise, call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:

  • Increased swelling in your hand or fingers

  • Fever above 101°F (by mouth) or shaking chills

  • Numbness, tingling or loss of feeling in your hand

  • A change in the color (dark or pale)  or temperature of your fingers (hot or cold).

  • Increased bleeding or drainage from the incision

  • Swelling, redness or opening of the incision

  • Foul odor from the incision or dressing

  • Increased pain not helped by your pain medication

  • Any new problems or concerns

Discharge Instructions for ORIF of Wrist

 

You had wrist surgery. This surgery is performed for a wrist fracture (broken bone). Your broken bones have been put together and held steady by use of plates, rods, pins and/or screws. A cut through the skin over the fracture was made to put these devices into the fracture. The metal devices may need to be removed  in 1-2 years or before if they begin to cause a problem. Here are instructions that will help you care for your ankle when you are at home.

Activity

  • Slowly increase your activity

  • No pushing, pulling or straining with your hand (vacuuming, shoveling, sweeping, etc.).

  • A supportive dressing, splint, or cast with sling may be applied after surgery to protect your wrist as it heals. The length of time you need to wear the cast or splint depends on how well your bones heal. This may take 6-12 weeks or longer.

  • Exercise the casted limb, as instructed by your doctor.

  • Use the sling whenever up and about.

  • Never drive if you are taking narcotic pain medication.

Home Care

  • You may shower in 48 hours. Carefully cover your wrist with plastic to keep the dressing, splint, or cast dry.  Never put anything  between your skin and your cast.

  • Take pain medication as directed.

  • Keep your hand or arm elevated above the level of your heart to reduce swelling or throbbing. At night prop it up with pillows.

Follow-Up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

 

 

When to Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 right away if you have any of the following:

  • Chest pain

  • Shortness of breath

  • Painful calf that is tender and warm to the touch

Otherwise, call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:

  • Increased swelling in your hand or fingers

  • Fever above 101°F (by mouth) or shaking chills

  • Numbness, tingling or loss of feeling in your hand

  • A change in the color (dark or pale)  or temperature of your fingers (hot or cold).

  • Increased bleeding or drainage from the incision

  • Swelling, redness or opening of the incision

  • Foul odor from the incision or dressing

  • Increased pain not helped by your pain medication

  • Any new problems or concerns
© Copyright StayWell. All Rights Reserved.