Wrist Replacement (Motec® Wrist Joint Prosthesis): aftercare advice

You have undergone surgery to replace your wrist joint. Over the next few weeks your therapist will give you advice about your rehabilitation and the management of your hand and wrist. Getting a good result from this surgery is directly related to the effort you put into your rehabilitation. Please follow the advice and guidance below. Wrist arthroplasty is usually expected to restore approximately half of normal wrist motion.

When can I return to my daily activities?

• Recovery from this operation can be slow. It can often be 3 to 6 months before you can start normal heavy activities again. Normal heavy activities include lifting heavy shopping bags and vacuuming.

• While wearing a splint, you may use your hand for light activities during the first 6 weeks. Light activities include using the telephone, and getting washed and dressed.

• Most patients are able to return to driving 6 weeks after their operation. However, this is a decision made with your surgeon or therapist.

• When you can return to work depends on the job you do. Please discuss this with your surgeon or therapist.

2 to 6 weeks after your surgery

• At around 2 weeks after your operation we will replace your plaster with a lighter splint. You must wear this splint continuously for a further 4 weeks. Only remove the splint for washing and completing your home exercise program.

• You may have dissolvable stitches. These will gradually fall out and disappear around 2 weeks after your surgery. If you have non-dissolving sutures, these will be taken out either by:

  • the therapist at your follow-up appointment, or

  • your GP practice nurse around 2 weeks after your surgery. If you have them removed by your GP practice nurse, you will need to book this appointment yourself.

• Compared to non-smokers, smokers are more likely to have complications after surgery. Complications include delayed tissue healing and infections. If you need support to stop smoking, please contact One You Kent on 0300 123 1220, or email.

• Elevating (raising) your hand is important to prevent swelling and stiffness in your fingers. Remember not to walk with your hand dangling down by your side. Do not sit with your hand held in your lap. 

• Once your wound has fully healed and forming a scar. Use a small amount of moisturiser (such as E45 or Diprobase), and massage your scar in deep circular motions. This helps prevent hypersensitivity. It also stops the tendons becoming stuck to surrounding structures, causing problems with the movement of your hand.

Exercises: 2 to 6 weeks after your surgery

• The following exercises should not be painful, but may feel slightly uncomfortable.

• Always exercise gently and slowly.

• Remove your splint 5 times per day to do the exercises below, as well as the activities above.

• Aim to do 5 to 10 of each exercise.

• Exercise 2

  • Lift your arm straight up above your head towards the ceiling.

It is normal for these exercises to be uncomfortable, but they should not cause pain. If they do cause you pain, please try the following.

• Try more gentler / smaller movements, with less repetition. Build up slowly.

• If your wound has healed fully and the dressings are off, you can do the exercises after warming your hand up in warm water or using a heat pack. This can help with pain and stiffness.

Use your operated hand for light activities with the splint on for support. You should not perform any strenuous activities or weight-bear through the hand.

6 weeks after your surgery

• Around 6 weeks after your surgery, you will have an appointment with your surgeon to check your progress. If your surgeon confirms the implant is stable, your therapist may teach you some new exercises depending on your progress. These exercises will vary between patients, so are not included in this leaflet. You will be given a separate leaflet with all the instructions you will need.

• Start to remove the splint during the day. Continue to wear it overnight and during any ‘at risk’ times for 2 more weeks. ‘At risk’ includes being in busy places and on public transport.

• Start driving once you feel safely in control of the vehicle, including being confident to make an emergency stop. Avoid long journeys to begin with.

• With the guidance of your therapist, gradually increase your activity levels over the next few weeks. Aim to return to most of your normal daily activities at around 12 weeks after surgery. It may take up to 6 months to return to some heavier activities and sports. This varies between patients.

• Continue to massage your scar at least once a day for up to 6 months. Massage keeps it supple while the scar is still maturing.

• Follow advice from your therapist on how to protect your joints to get the best long-term outcome from your surgery. For more information, please read the Advice on protecting your joints leaflet.

Remember that getting a good result from this surgery is directly related to the effort you put into your rehabilitation. Please follow the advice and guidance given to you by your therapist.

Further information

If you have any further questions, please speak to your therapist.

• Hand Therapy Team
  Telephone: 01227 783065; option 2

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