By Dr. Shayne Kelly, DO — Fellowship-Trained Sports Medicine Surgeon · Tri-City Orthopedics, Kennewick, WA
The early exercises Dr. Kelly gives his patients for the first weeks after surgery, until physical therapy takes over.
Keep the dressing clean and dry until your follow-up visit. It is good to USE your hand for light everyday activities, but avoid gripping or lifting anything heavier than a coffee cup with the operated hand for the first two weeks. Elevate the hand and make gentle fists to help swelling.
Make a full fist, then open the hand and spread the fingers wide.
Move through five positions in order: fingers straight — hook fist (bend only the top two joints) — full fist — tabletop (bend only the big knuckles, fingers straight) — straight fist (big knuckles and middle joints bent, fingertips straight). Hold each position 2-3 seconds.
Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of each finger in turn, making a round 'O' each time.
With the forearm supported, gently bend the wrist up and down as far as feels comfortable.
With your arm at your side and palm facing forward, gently straighten the elbow, wrist, and fingers until you feel a light pull — never pain. Release.
Several times a day, raise the hand above heart level and slowly open and close the fist to pump swelling out.
Once the incision is fully closed and sutures are out (about two weeks), massage the scar firmly with a fingertip in small circles and side to side for 2-3 minutes. A drop of lotion helps.
Call Dr. Kelly’s office at (509) 460-5588 for fever over 101°F, increasing redness or drainage at incisions, pain that is worsening instead of improving, or new numbness or tingling. For chest pain or trouble breathing, call 911.
Dr. Kelly sees patients at Tri-City Orthopedics in Kennewick.
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