Surgical wound care advice following your upper limb procedure

How long will my wound take to heal?

Your wound should take between 10 to 14 days to heal.

When should I change my wound dressing?

• Leave your dressing in place for three days, and keep it dry. If your dressing becomes wet, redress with the dressing the hospital gave you.

• Do not apply creams or lotions to your wound.

• Most people do not need to keep their wound covered for more than seven days. After seven days the wound is usually dry and better left open to the air.

What sort of wound problems may I have?

• Mild pain and discomfort is normal. Take painkillers as advised by your medical professional.

• If your hand / arm becomes swollen, support it on two or three pillows when resting.

• You may have developed an infection, if your wound becomes:

  • red

  • inflamed / hot, or

  • starts discharging pus.

  If this happens, contact your GP, Haemodialysis Unit, or renal access nurse for advice.

• Slight bleeding from your wound through to the dressing is normal in the first one to two days following surgery.

• Heavy bleeding is when bleeding continues for more than five minutes, with high volumes of more than quarter of a cup. If this happens apply pressure to your wound and go to your nearest Emergency Department immediately.

• Do not remove any scabs. Scabs will come off on their own.

When can I go back to my usual activities?

Gradually return to your normal activities, depending on how your wound feels. After 14 days you should be able to return to all your normal activities, unless told otherwise by your surgeon.

When can I start driving again?

Avoid driving for at least three days following your procedure. When you feel safe to drive again consider your grip, does it feel back to normal for you?

Do I need to get any stitches / clips removed?         

• Yes

• No

When is my follow-up appointment?

• Date:                                                                         

• Time:

Where is my follow-up appointment?

• Buckland Hospital, Dover

• Marlowe Ward, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury  

• Thomas Becket, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury

• Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital, Margate  

• William Harvey Hospital, Ashford

• Maidstone Hospital

• Medway Maritime Hospital

If you are on dialysis, your dialysis nurses will check the progress of your wound at your haemodialysis session.

If you need another appointment, you will be told by post or telephone.

Who can I call for advice or with any concerns?

Please call one of the telephone numbers below or your GP surgery if you are worried.

• Renal Dialysis Access Nurses, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury         
  Telephone: 01227 864305

• Marlowe Ward, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury
  Telephone: 01227 866456

• Thomas Becket Haemodialysis Unit, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury
  Telephone: 01227 783047

• Haemodialysis Unit, Buckland Hospital, Dover                                   
  Telephone: 01304 222695

• Haemodialysis Unit, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford                      
  Telephone: 01233 651872

• Haemodialysis Unit, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital, Margate
  Telephone: 01843 234270

• Haemodialysis Unit, Medway Maritime Hospital                                  
  Telephone: 01634 825107

• Haemodialysis Unit, Maidstone Hospital                                              
  Telephone: 01622 225885