[After-care following hand surgery].

In hand surgery the after-care constitutes a most important part of the treatment, if full reconstitution of function is to be achieved. We distinguish mainly three periods which may vary in duration: the immediate postoperative period, the period of mobilisation and the specific rehabilitation with ergotherapy. In the early postoperative period, the main concern goes to the wound care, prophylaxis and treatment of pain and swelling by careful and adequate immobilisation and positioning of the hand on one side and mobilisation of elbow and shoulder on the other. The second period of mobilisation of the hand starts once the wounds are healed and the swelling has subsided. The patient is instructed in actively mobilising his injured hand and fingers with the support of resting and dynamic splints. Finally the actual rehabilitation programme is started with application of increasing load and strength as well as building up of the fine sensory and motor function of the fingers.