| Day 0-14 |
- Keep splint clean, dry and in place until follow-up
- May wear sling, in addition to splint, if more comfortable
- No lifting greater than 1-2 pounds
- May do self-care activities as well as light duty work such as typing and writing
- Make a fist 5 times an hour while awake; finger motion (full extension and flexion) is important for all fingers.
- Keep hand elevated above the level of your heart
|
Follow-up Visit
(day 10-14) |
- Placed in a hinged elbow brace to be worn full time (may remove for showers; take care to avoid forceful extension).
- The brace will have an extension lock at 50 degrees and no restriction for flexion
- No lifting against resistance (greater than 1-2 pounds)
- Range of motion; wrist, hand and active shoulder motion in all planes
- Stitches are absorbable
- A clear tag of the absorbable stitch may be sticking out of the skin. Snip the tag of the stich close to your skin.
- May get steri-strips wet, but may not soak (bath tub, swimming, hot tub, etc.); pat area dry with clean towel.
- Once steri-strips fall off and incision site is fully healed, water activity is unrestricted
|
| Week 3 |
- Hinged elbow brace worn full time; extension lock at 40 degrees
- No lifting against resistance (greater than 1-2 pounds)
|
| Week 4 |
- Hinged elbow brace worn full time; extension lock at 30 degrees
- No lifting against resistance (greater than 1-2 pounds)
|
| Week 5 |
- Hinged elbow brace worn full time; extension lock at 20 degrees
- No lifting against resistance (greater than 1-2 pounds)
|
Week 6
Follow-up Visit |
- Hinged elbow brace worn full time; extension lock at 10 degrees
- No lifting against resistance (greater than 1-2 pounds)
- Hinged elbow brace removed at follow-up visit
|
| Week 7-12 |
- Range of motion as tolerated
- No lifting against resistance (greater than 1-2 pounds)
|
3 Months
Follow-up Visit |
- Gradual strengthening program starting at 5 lbs.
- Progress 5 lbs. every 2 weeks until you reach full strength
- Return to activity as tolerated
|
