Aftercare
The patient usually receives a splint after the operation (= postoperative) for a period of about 4 weeks. Within this splint, all joints can move freely. After immobilisation, the operated thumb is very slowly reintegrated into everyday life.
This means that for a further 4 to 8 weeks, the thumb’s performance cannot yet be fully restored. All attempts to accustom the thumb to everyday life and to integrate it into the daily routine must be carried out carefully. If pain occurs, this is usually always a sign of excessive demands.
Accordingly, the occurrence of pain or swelling after surgery implies an immediate reduction of the strain! As a rule, the reactivation of the thumb is carried out without stress and as self-sustaining as possible. The attending physician or physiotherapist will show you appropriate exercises.
As a rule, physiotherapy will only be started if the patient does not follow the agreed movement exercises. Whether the reactivation is carried out on the patient’s own initiative or with the help of physiotherapy is decided according to the individual healing process. If swellings occur nevertheless after surgery, under certain circumstances a lymphatic drainage or occupational therapy can prove to be useful.
