The care pathway
Pain control and medications
The goal is not to have no pain at all, but pain controlled enough that you can sleep, move your fingers and do your exercises. Follow the prescription you were given.
The foundation
Acetaminophen taken regularly — not only when the pain becomes strong — is the foundation. An anti-inflammatory is often added, unless there is a reason not to.
Taking medication on a fixed schedule for the first few days works considerably better than waiting for the pain to build and then chasing it.
- Respect the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen, counting every product that contains it.
- Check what is in over-the-counter medicines: several already contain acetaminophen.
- Take the first dose before the nerve block wears off.
Opioids
An opioid may be prescribed for the first few days, held in reserve for pain the other medications do not cover. Most patients having hand surgery use few of them and stop quickly.
They cause constipation, drowsiness and nausea. Do not drive while taking one, and do not combine them with alcohol.
- Move to non-opioid medication as soon as the pain allows.
- Prevent constipation from day one rather than treating it afterwards.
- Return unused tablets to the pharmacy; do not keep them at home.
What helps without medication
Elevation remains the most effective way to reduce pain in the first days, because it addresses its main cause: the pressure of swelling inside a dressing.
Cold, applied around the dressing and never directly on the skin or on a numb limb, complements it well.
- Keep the hand above heart level, especially at night.
- Never put ice directly on the skin or on a limb that is still numb.
- Pain that increases rather than decreases after 48 hours should be reported.
Urgent
When to call, and who to call
Fingers that are cold, white or bluish, loss of sensation, severe and increasing pain that painkillers do not touch, a dressing that has become too tight, or bleeding that does not stop after ten minutes of pressure: go to the emergency department without waiting for a call back. For a fever, spreading redness or discharge, call the office the same day. If you are unsure, call 811.
Information on this site is general and does not replace a medical consultation. In an emergency, call 911.