Before your hand or wrist surgery

Before you come into hospital

Elevate your hand

  • If you have been given a sling, please use it during the day. 
  • Your hand should be above the level of your heart. This will reduce swelling and pain.
  • Take your arm out of the sling every hour or so to stretch your elbow and shrug your shoulder to stop the joints becoming stiff.
  • Rest your hand on pillows next to you if you are sitting down or lying in bed.

Keep your dressing clean and dry

If your dressing gets wet or dirty, change it to any clean, non-adhesive dressing. If your plaster gets wet, please return to A&E.

Medicines

If you have been given antibiotics or painkillers, please take them as instructed. Take all your regular medications at the usual time with a small sip of water unless otherwise advised.

Smoking

Try to cut back or stop smoking before your surgery as smoking slows healing. People who smoke are also much more likely to have complications such as infection after their surgery.

On the day of your operation 

Come to the Treatment Centre on the Ground Floor of the hospital.

Morning operation

Admission time: 7:30am

If you are having a general anaesthetic, a block or a regional anaesthetic:

  • Do not eat after 2am
  • You may drink water only until 6am
  • Do not chew gum on the day
  • You must arrange for an adult to accompany you home and to be with you for 24 hours after your surgery

If you are having a local anaesthetic you may eat and drink as you like before surgery and can make your own way home afterwards

Afternoon operation

Admission time: 12:30pm

If you are having a general anaesthetic, a block or a regional anaesthetic:

  • Do not eat after 7am
  • You may drink water only until 11am
  • Do not chew gum on the day
  • You must arrange for an adult to accompany you home and to be with you for 24 hours after your surgery

If you are having a local anaesthetic you may eat and drink as you like before surgery and can make your own way home afterwards.

General information 

  • Remove all jewellery, nail polish and acrylic nails before you arrive.
  • It may be helpful to have painkillers at home. Your doctor will advise which painkillers are suitable.
  • Bring your inhaler, if you have one, and any medications that you would normally take on the day.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Your hand may be in a bulky plaster after your operation.
  • Do not bring any valuables with you.
  • Bring something to read, as you may have to wait before going into theatre.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Hand Trauma Coordinator on 07875 284 396.

Please make sure we have your current phone number.

Important information

There may be a problem if:

  • Your fingers appear dusky or very pale, or feel cool compared to your other fingers
  • You have pain that is increasing or that you can not control with painkillers
  • Your bandage or cast feels too tight because of swelling
  • There is pus or a smelly discharge coming from your wound
  • Your plaster gets wet or starts to break
  • Your hand is bleeding and this doesn't stop even when you raise your hand above your head and apply firm pressure for 5 minutes

If you experience any of these symptoms or have any other concerns or questions please contact us.

Contact information 

Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm:

  • 07875 284 396 (Hand Trauma Coordinator)
  • 020 3315 8195 (Treatment Centre)

Weekends and weekdays after 5pm:

  • Your own GP after-hours service
  • Your local walk-in centre
  • A&E at Chelsea and Westminster: 020 3315 8000
  • NHS Direct: 111 (free from landlines and mobiles)
Contributors
Liz Alden George Vasilopoulos