Complications if Nursing Intervention
Pre op:
untreated: 1. Explain the procedure, its process, what to expect before,
1. Chronic symptoms during and after the surgery.
2. Impaired hand function 2. Discuss potential risk and benefits to help patient make an
3. Tendon damage/ rupture informed decision
4. Nerve compression 3. Provide information on pre operative fasting and any
5. Permanent finger contracture medication to stop.
(unforeseen circumstances that require conversion to general
Pre and Post Op Instructions: Trigger anesthesia. )
Finger Release (with sedatives - affect gi tract which increase risk of
aspiration if not fasted)
Medications to stop:
Pre Op Checklist:
• anticoagulants - increase the risk of bleeding
Wash operative hand with soap and water to remove
4. Perform assessment including medical history, allergies, and
all dirt and skin oil. No lotions the day
current, medication.
before surgery. trim fingernails and clean dirt from
1. Administer preop meds as ordered.
underneath nails.
Wear loose fitting clothes the day of surgery. Expect
Post op:
to have a bulky dressing or splint
1. Vital signs
postoperatively on your wrist.
2. Assess the surgical sites for bleeding, swelling or signs of
If you work, you will likely have a work restriction.
infection.
Please communicate with your work prior to
3. Administer prescribed pain medication
surgery. Work restrictions will be discussed with ortho
4. Keep the surgical site clean. = change dressing and
office prior to surgery.
monitoring for signs of infection.
5. Patients education
Surgery Day:
• wound care and hygiene
Postoperative instructions will be given to your family
• Signs and symptoms of infection
member or friend that brought you to the
• Importance of hand exercise
hospital.
• Activity restrictions
Prescriptions for pain control will be given to you on
1st week: rest
the day of surgery.
2nd week: light activities
No eating or drinking after midnight the day of
4-6 weeks: increase activities but still non streneous
surgery.
6-12 weeks: normal activities
Post Op:
No weight bearing to operative arm. Finger motion is
ok and encouraged.
ELEVATE all the time. This means the fingers should
be pointed to the ceiling. Propping the
hand up with pillows and laying the hand flat is NOT
elevation.
Ok to remove dressings on postoperative day #3. Ok
to shower then with no scrubbing of
wound. Redress with a 4 x 4 gauze from your local
pharmacy and ace wrap.
Take prescribed pain medication as instructed. You can
take a small dose of ibuprofen over the
counter as an adjunctive pain medication starting the
DAY AFTER surgery as long as you have no
allergies to ibuprofen, drug interactions, or medical
contraindications such as stomach or kidney
issues. Confirm with your primary care physician if you
have any questions regarding allergies or
drug interactions. Postoperative pain is normal. It will get
worse before it gets better. By : Cia
Pre op:
untreated: 1. Explain the procedure, its process, what to expect before,
1. Chronic symptoms during and after the surgery.
2. Impaired hand function 2. Discuss potential risk and benefits to help patient make an
3. Tendon damage/ rupture informed decision
4. Nerve compression 3. Provide information on pre operative fasting and any
5. Permanent finger contracture medication to stop.
(unforeseen circumstances that require conversion to general
Pre and Post Op Instructions: Trigger anesthesia. )
Finger Release (with sedatives - affect gi tract which increase risk of
aspiration if not fasted)
Medications to stop:
Pre Op Checklist:
• anticoagulants - increase the risk of bleeding
Wash operative hand with soap and water to remove
4. Perform assessment including medical history, allergies, and
all dirt and skin oil. No lotions the day
current, medication.
before surgery. trim fingernails and clean dirt from
1. Administer preop meds as ordered.
underneath nails.
Wear loose fitting clothes the day of surgery. Expect
Post op:
to have a bulky dressing or splint
1. Vital signs
postoperatively on your wrist.
2. Assess the surgical sites for bleeding, swelling or signs of
If you work, you will likely have a work restriction.
infection.
Please communicate with your work prior to
3. Administer prescribed pain medication
surgery. Work restrictions will be discussed with ortho
4. Keep the surgical site clean. = change dressing and
office prior to surgery.
monitoring for signs of infection.
5. Patients education
Surgery Day:
• wound care and hygiene
Postoperative instructions will be given to your family
• Signs and symptoms of infection
member or friend that brought you to the
• Importance of hand exercise
hospital.
• Activity restrictions
Prescriptions for pain control will be given to you on
1st week: rest
the day of surgery.
2nd week: light activities
No eating or drinking after midnight the day of
4-6 weeks: increase activities but still non streneous
surgery.
6-12 weeks: normal activities
Post Op:
No weight bearing to operative arm. Finger motion is
ok and encouraged.
ELEVATE all the time. This means the fingers should
be pointed to the ceiling. Propping the
hand up with pillows and laying the hand flat is NOT
elevation.
Ok to remove dressings on postoperative day #3. Ok
to shower then with no scrubbing of
wound. Redress with a 4 x 4 gauze from your local
pharmacy and ace wrap.
Take prescribed pain medication as instructed. You can
take a small dose of ibuprofen over the
counter as an adjunctive pain medication starting the
DAY AFTER surgery as long as you have no
allergies to ibuprofen, drug interactions, or medical
contraindications such as stomach or kidney
issues. Confirm with your primary care physician if you
have any questions regarding allergies or
drug interactions. Postoperative pain is normal. It will get
worse before it gets better. By : Cia
