Top Tips For a Smooth Recovery After Hand Surgery

Recovering after hand surgery can feel overwhelming sometimes. After all, you need your hands for most daily activities, so it’s normal to feel a little concerned about how you’ll navigate the recovery process. Good news, though: Thanks to advanced arthroscopic and microvascular techniques and high-level surgical expertise, recovery after hand and wrist surgery can be faster than you may think.

At Advanced Orthopaedic Associates, P.A., in Wichita, Kansas, our board-certified and fellowship-trained hand and wrist surgeons, Dr. Alexander J Bollinger, Dr. Zachary Hanson, and Dr. David Gwyn, use the most advanced surgical approaches to ensure the best results and a quicker recovery.

Here are essential tips to help you regain strength, mobility, and confidence after hand surgery.

Follow Your Physical Therapy Plan

Physical therapy usually starts shortly after hand surgery. Your surgeon recommends an experienced physical therapist who provides a structured program that can help you reclaim hand strength and flexibility while reducing pain.

Your physical therapy plan may include:

• Flexibility Exercises: Focusing on restoring hand and wrist flexibility
• Strengthening Exercises: Emphasizing improved grip strength and hand function.
• Hand Safety: Your physical therapy provides specific guidance on safely using your hand during daily activities. These guidelines help you reduce the risk of another hand injury.

Your surgeon recommends a plan to resume your normal activities after hand surgery, typically as you come to the end of your physical therapy regimen.

Surgical Site Care

Proper wound care after hand surgery is one of the best ways to prevent infection and promote healing. Follow your surgeon’s instructions closely. Some of the typical tips our surgeons recommend are:

• Keeping the area clean and dry.
• Checking for redness or swelling
• Wearing prescribed splints or dressings as directed.

If you notice any changes in your hand or wrist, whether it’s how it looks, feels, or performs, let us know promptly so we can help you get back on track to healing.

Be Patient with Your Progress

Recovery after hand surgery takes time, and each person heals at their own pace. Remember to follow your surgeon’s guidance, keeping your eye on the long-term goal: A full return to the normal use of your hand, without pain. Gradually resuming normal activities, and not pushing to hard, too soon, can ensure you get the complete recovery you deserve. 

Best Orthopaedic Surgeons in Wichita, Kansas

After hand surgery, our Advanced Orthopaedic Associates, P.A. team is here to guide you through a smooth recovery. If you’re in Wichita, Wellington, or Winfield, call us at 316-631-1600 to schedule your consultation.