Wound care is an essential part of the recovery process for hand surgery patients, and as such, it forms part of our hand therapy services. Hand therapists are competent in both simple and complex wounds, which are left to heal appropriately without infection. Proper wound care is an integral part of rehabilitation. If left untreated, wounds can hinder the recovery process and may lead to further complications.
Hd therapists also provide good fitting of the dressing with a custom-made splint or brace to maximise the healing and comfort during treatment.
Infection prevention is an essential part of wound care. Infections prolong the healing process and can further worsen the condition. Wound assessment, appropriate cleaning, change of dressings, and education on home care of the wound are all included in every appointment made with a hand therapist. Minimising this risk of infection insures faster healing and minimises scarring.
Our practice for wound care also utilises prescribing the right dressing materials. Based on the state of the wound and depending on your needs for treatment, we may use dressings to improve moisture balance or protection from bacteria, to stimulate tissue regeneration.
One of the more common challenges presented in hand therapy is making sure that wound care and splinting complement each other. Our hand physiotherapist provides expert care to fabricate splints that support your recovery and accommodate any dressings or wound sites. We design splints with stability in mind, without compromising the integrity and effectiveness of the wound dressing.
We often liaise with hand surgeons so that a patient’s wound care plan and splinting is coordinated to complement individual post-operative plans for those patients undergoing hand surgery.
We also educate our patients on how to take care of their wound at home, apart from direct care to the patient. This includes teaching them how to keep the wounds clean and dry during the healing process and when wetting the wound is allowed for the patients. We also educate patients on the signs of infection.
If you are recovering from surgery of the hand or an injury and need specialised wound care, call our clinic today for an appointment.
