How to Recover From Wrist Surgery

Wrist surgery is typically performed for serious cases of carpal tunnel syndrome and for reconstructive surgery for broken ligaments. You should see a doctor immediately after the first signs of not being able to move your wrist. If there is a wrist fracture, it will be determined by an MRI scan, CAT scan or bone scan. Wrist surgeries include wrist arthroscopy for arthritis and tendon repair. Since treatments for wrist injury vary, so can the method for recovery. It's important to always follow the advice of your doctor and surgeon after surgery to appropriately heal from the surgery. Also, keep in mind that it can take up to six months or longer in order to recover from surgery.

Instructions

• 1

  Keep your bandage or splint on your wrist for the recommend period as determined by your doctor. Typically, after wrist surgery a bandage may be required for as long as a month or more.

• 2

  Rest your wrist in a position where it cannot be disturbed when you sleep at night. You may need to rest your wrist on a night stand or somewhere off of your bed to prevent yourself from rolling onto your wrist.

• 3

  Remove your bandage and slowly rehabilitate the motion in your wrist. Slowly move towards activities that involve using your wrist, but refrain from any heavy lifting or applying pressure to the hand and wrist.

• 4

  Refrain from activities that could force strain on your wrist, such as golfing, tennis, lifting weights or excessive typing. Make sure to still give your wrist plenty of rest after it been mobilized. Always rest your wrist without moving it for a half hour or more if you experience any pain.

• 5

  See a physical therapist and perform the activities that she recommends for increasing the strength in your wrist. Besides exercises, other therapy for your wrist may include heat therapy, massage therapy and sensory re-education.