| 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.
|
Follow-up Visit
(day 10-14) |
- Place in a hinged elbow brace, locked at 90 degrees
-
- No lifting against resistance (greater than 1-2 pounds)
- May remove brace to shower
- May remove brace several times a day to work on gentle range of motion up to 90 degrees
- 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 6
Follow-up Visit |
- Discontinue use of hinged elbow brace
- Range of motion as tolerated
- No lifting against resistance (greater than 1-2 pounds)
|
3 Month
Follow-up Visit |
- Continued range of motion as tolerated
- No lifting against resistance (greater than 1-2 pounds)
|
6 Month
Follow-up Visit |
- Gradual strengthening program with the guidance of physical therapy
- Return to activity as tolerated
|
