Preparing for Hand Surgery

Look after your skin in the week or so leading up to your surgery. It is tempting to tidy the garden or do other jobs before your operation, but even minor scrapes, cuts or insect bites are common and can increase the risk of infection. Such skin injuries may require postponing or cancelling your surgery, so avoid activities that could damage the skin and seek early treatment for any breaks in the skin.

Use plenty of hand moisturiser or sorbilene to help soften the skin on your palms and fingers in the week or two leading up to your surgery.

If you have rings on the hand that will be operated on, check beforehand whether you can remove them. If they cannot be taken off, decide in advance what you would like done with your rings before you arrive at the hospital. In most cases all rings need to be removed prior to surgery. The safest and most effective way to remove a tight ring is by a jeweller, who can then repair or resize it if necessary.

Bring to the hospital all of your relevant X‑rays, ultrasounds, CT scans and MRI scans that pertain to the hand or the specific area being operated on.

Follow the fasting instructions carefully. Please do not chew gum during the designated “nil by mouth” period. If you are unsure about the exact fasting times, contact my office or the hospital where your surgery will take place for clarification. If you are permitted “clear fluids,” this means water only — not coffee, tea, or other beverages.

After Surgery

You will need someone to accompany you home and stay with you on the night of your surgery. It is best to rest quietly at home for the remainder of the day and evening following your procedure. Please do not drink alcohol on the night of your surgery. 

Driving

You must not drive on the day of your surgery. When you are able to drive again will depend on the type of surgery you have had. After relatively simple procedures such as a carpal tunnel release, you may be safe to drive once you can confidently and comfortably operate the vehicle controls — for example, to steer and brake reliably — which is often around a week after the operation for many patients.

Ultimately, you as the driver are responsible for deciding whether you are capable of driving.