|
As part of your hand
surgical procedure, Dr. Walker has chosen to place pins onto your hand
or wrist. These pins are used to stabilize bones or joints in
order to prevent motion or encourage healing.
After surgery, your pins will be covered by the
dressing or half cast placed in the operating room. Once you have
been placed iin a removable dressing or splint, you will be able to see
and care for your pins.
INSTRUCTIONS:
| 1. |
Dilute 1 part peroxide with 5 parts water
Use cotton applicators ("Q-tips") 5 times a day
around the areas where the pins penetrate the skin and remove
any crusty material. This allows any bacteria at the
"pin skin" junction to come out. |
| 2. |
It is normal for pin sites to be slightly red, but if
tenderness, increased redness or pus appears, please call the
office and ask to speak to Greg. A prescription for oral antibiotics
will be phoned in to your local pharmacy.
If these antibiotics fail to alleviate the infection over 3-5
days, you will be brought into the office to be evaluated by one
of our physicians. |
| 3. |
If the pin pulls partially out of the skin, do not push it
back in. Call the office for instructions.
If the pin comes all the way out, do not try to put it
back in. Call the office for instructions. |
| 4. |
Dr. Walker will notify you when he expects to remove the pin(s).
Please take a pain pill 1 hour prior to that appointment, and have
someone accompany you to the office. The pin removal will
be mildly painful. |
|
Pin care
