What if surgery is recommended? What should I expect?
Once your surgeon determines that you are a good candidate for surgery, our UTMB staff will schedule a time and date for your surgery to be completed at one of our campus locations. Most hand and wrist surgeries can be performed as outpatient procedures, which means you can return home the same day as your operation. We suggest arranging transportation from surgery to home prior to the procedure considering your hand or wrist may be immobilized while you heal. Also, you will most likely be prescribed medication or provided with an OTC medication plan for pain relief. Antibiotics may also be administered to avoid the risk of infection.
UTMB offers a convenient outpatient pharmacy located at our League City, Clear Lake, and Galveston campuses where medication can be dispensed to you prior to leaving the hospital or clinic. Instructions to rest at home immediately after surgery will be given along with the exact number of days you will be asked to take off from work and engaging in other activities dependent on your overall health and type of procedure performed. Once your wounds have healed significantly, your surgeon will most likely recommend occupational therapy to help restore functions, mobility and strength in your hand or wrist. As a critical part of recovery, you can expect several weeks of therapy following surgery both with an occupational therapist and at home by yourself.