After Surgery to Repair a Wrist Fracture

After Surgery to Repair a Wrist Fracture


Pain medicine

Your arm will be numb for a time from the arm block done during surgery. You will be given a prescription for pain medicine. Begin to take the pain medicine before the numbness wears off to keep your pain controlled. 

  • If you do not need pain medicine as strong as what was prescribed, take over the counter medicine, like ibuprofen, sold as Advil or Aleve. 
  • If the prescription pain medicine is not giving you enough relief, you can add ibuprofen, sold as Advil or Aleve.

Keep your splint on and dry

  • Leave the wrap and splint on. Keep them dry until you come in for your first appointment after surgery.
  • Cover your wrap and splint with a plastic bag and use tape to hold it in place when you shower or bathe. 

Avoid smoking

  • Smoking and inhaling second hand smoke can slow wound and bone healing. Stop smoking to help healing.

Limit use of your hand

  • Wear your sling until the numbness wears off to control your arm.
  • Keep your hand elevated above your heart as much as you can to limit swelling and pain.
  • Open and close the fingers on your surgery hand when you are awake. Work to move your fingers out straight and then bend them into a fist. These exercises help keep your finger movement and strength.
  • No lifting more than 2 pounds and no pulling or pushing with the hand until your doctor says it is okay, often 8 weeks after surgery.

First appointment

  • You will be asked about your pain level. Your pain medicine may be changed, or you may be given a refill of your pain medicine.
  • Your wrap and splint will be removed. If your incision is healing well, your stitches will be removed. If the stitches are not ready to be removed, you will be scheduled to come back for another appointment.
  • The hand therapist will see you to make a removable splint for you. If the splint does not fit well or if it rubs as the swelling goes down, call to come back to have it adjusted. It needs to fit well, so you are comfortable wearing it. 
  • The hand therapist will review exercises you need to do. You may start some wrist exercises.
  • Continue to keep the hand elevated above your heart as much as you can.

Incision care

Your stitches will be removed 8 to 14 days after surgery.

  • After the wrap and splint from surgery are removed, wash your incision with mild soap and water. Rinse it well, and pat it dry with a clean towel.
  • Do not use any lotion, cream, ointment, or powder on your incision until it is healed.

Scar massage

  • Start to massage your scar 3 to 5 days after your stitches are removed. This will help limit build up of scar tissue and desensitize the scar.
  • Massage for 5 minutes several times a day. Do this for several weeks.
  • Use the pads or soft tips of the fingers of your other hand to massage the scar and the skin around it.
  • Press firmly, but do not push until you have too much pain.
  • Do your scar massage as marked:
    • ___ Use 2 fingers and make small circles over the length of the scar and the skin around the scar.
    • ___ Use 2 fingers and pull your fingers across the scar. Then push back across the scar in a sawing motion. Do this across the length of the scar.
       

© 2016 – October 23, 2023, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

This is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, contact the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or health-info@osu.edu.