A hand fracture is the breaking of one of the bones in the hand, including the fingers and palm. In most cases, a fracture can heal without having to require surgery. This includes wearing a cast or splint for a period of time. Following the correct care procedure for your hand fracture will speed up its recovery process.
Here are some hand fracture aftercare tips that you should follow to help manage pain and speed up recovery.
Cast and Splint Care
If you’re wearing a cast for your fracture, your physician will guide you on the correct aftercare procedures. You’re supposed to make sure that your cast remains dry at all times. This is because contact with water results in the weakening of the plaster, and the development of pressure points in the cast. Remove your cast or splint when you take a shower or bath, or wrap it in a plastic bag to keep it dry.
Check your cast frequently for any splints or cracks—if you see one, you’ll need a replacement. Lastly, don’t use anything to scratch the itchy spots in the cast as you can infect your skin.
Heat and Icing
Heat and ice can help your hand fracture recover faster. This method has been used to treat numerous injuries, fractures, and pain over the centuries. Use heating pads, heating lamps or paraffin baths, and moist towels to help your fracture recover. Heat application increases circulation of blood, affecting capillary leads, helping in managing pain symptoms.
Similar to heating, icing your fractured hand also helps speed up recovery and reduce pain and swelling. You can use icepacks, cold water baths, and gel wraps to cool the area. Cooling in 15-minute intervals is especially effective during the inflammation period. This is because it decreases local tissue blood flow, which helps in managing pain. Generally, heating or icing techniques are recommended by the physician, depending on the type of fracture you might have.
Extra Tips
Move your fingers around for some physical therapy while your hand recovers. Keep your hand elevated on a pillow frequently as it’ll help decrease swelling and pain. Wear clothes with buttons instead of zippers, avoid bathing too much during the first few weeks, and use dry shampoo instead. Ask family members or friends to assist you while eating, and if you develop an itch under the cast, visit your physician and ask them to clear it out.
If you’re experiencing unbearable pain after your hand surgery, you should visit trusted and certified occupational hand therapists such as the ones at Able Hands Rehab. We provide professional physical hand therapy and custom hand splinting services. Trusted for over 25 years, we offer the leading occupational hand therapy in Edison, Freehold, Old Bridge, NJ.
Contact us at 732-727-7333 or email at ablehandsrehab@gmail.com to book an appointment!
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