| Day 0-14 |
- Keep post-operative dressing clean, dry, and in place until post-op visit
- Keep hand elevated above the level of your heart
- Early active motion at the thumb IP (tip of thumb) joint
- May use hand for very light activities of daily living, such as eating, writing, typing, getting dressed, and brushing teeth
|
| Day 14 |
Post-Op Appointment:
- Post-op dressings are removed
- Stitches are absorbable, steri-strips are left in place
- Sent to a certified hand therapist for a custom-made forearm based thumb splint and to begin range of motion
- Active Range of Motion Exercises (as guided by a hand therapist):
- Wrist Flexion and Extension, IP joint, Digit 6 pack, Elbow (flexion & extension)
|
| Week 2-4 |
- Wear splint full time (including night time) to protect the repair
- Splint may be removed for showering and gentle ROM as directed by the hand therapist
- May get steri-strips wet (pat dry with clean towel), but may not soak (bath tub, hot tub, pool, etc.)
- Once steri-strips fall off and incision site is well healed, water activity is unrestricted
- Active Range of Motion Exercises (as guided by a hand therapist):
- Radial and palmar abduction, Active out and relax, Opposition to tip and base of digit 5 (pinky), Thumb IP/MP joint, Wrist radial deviation and ulnar deviation
|
| Week 4-8 |
- Wearing splint full time (altered to hand based thumb splint)
- Passive Range of Motion Exercises (as guided by a hand therapist):
|
| Week 8 – 12 |
- Discontinue use of splint
- Strengthening (as guided by a hand therapist):
- Wrist Flexion and Extension with 1-2 pounds free weight, Yellow putty lateral, 2 and 3 point pinch, Extension and Opposition
|
| 3 months |
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