Good wound care helps prevent infection and ensures optimal healing.
Dressings
Keep the dressing clean and dry until your first follow-up appointment. If showering, you can protect it with a waterproof cover, but avoid submerging the hand in water. If the dressings do get wet, then they should be replaced.
Signs of Infection
Contact the clinic or your GP if you notice:
- Increasing pain, redness, or warmth around the wound
- Swelling or discharge
- Fever or general unwellness
Stitches and Dressings
Most non-dissolving stitches are removed after 10–14 days, often during your follow-up visit. For dissolvable / absorbable sutures the suture knots are often left on the skin surface and these can be trimmed flush with the skin.
Scar Care
Once the wound is healed, gentle massage using an unperfumed moisturiser can help soften and desensitise the scar.
Silicone gels or sheets may also help in some cases – see the Useful Products & Adaptations section for examples.
Summary: Keep wounds dry, clean, and elevated until reviewed. Contact your surgeon promptly if redness, discharge or increasing pain occur.
If you’re experiencing hand and wrist or related symptoms, we can confirm the cause and tailor a plan – often starting with splints/hand therapy and exercises, with medicines, injections or surgery only where appropriate.
This page provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice.
For emergencies (severe/new weakness, spreading infection, uncontrolled pain, significant injury) call 999, or use NHS 111 for urgent guidance.
Appointments:
- Self-pay patients can book without a GP referral
- Insured patients (Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, etc…) can book once authorised.
Clinics are available at:
- The Harborne Hospital – HCA, Birmingham
- Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital
- The Priory Hospital, Birmingham
To book or ask a question, contact Vikki (Private Secretary):
☎ 07510 417479
✉ [email protected]