4 Tips For Dealing With A Broken Hand
Breaking your hand is not only incredibly painful but also has a serious impact on your quality of life, especially if you break your dominant hand. Simple tasks you normally take for granted, such as texting, typing, and cooking, suddenly become very difficult. While you wait for surgery or recover afterward, here are a few practical tips for making your life easier with a broken hand:
Use a Waterproof Cast Cover
Using a waterproof cast cover that is specifically designed for a hand and wrist cast means that you can shower, do the dishes, and perform other tasks involving water without getting your cast wet. It's important to keep your cast dry at all times because water can seep inside your hand and lead to skin issues. Your cast cover should come with a tie or large rubber band to keep it completely closed and tightly sealed, especially when you shower.
Use Voice Typing
Many smartphones and some word processing programs offer voice typing options. This allows you to text, send emails, and complete work tasks without actually typing. While helpful, these programs are not always completely accurate. Make sure your boss and colleagues are informed of your hand injury and that you will be dictating instead of typing so that they understand if there are errors in your transcribed communication.
Focus on Healing
Following your surgeon's instructions and focusing on healing will mean a faster recovery time and return to normalcy. Take all prescribed pain medication and antibiotics as directed. Be sure to ice and elevate your hand as often as your doctor recommends. These steps will help prevent swelling and speed up your recovery.
In addition, try to eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veggies, as the extra nutrients will give your body what it needs to heal.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Even if you live alone and are the independent type, letting trusted family members or close friends help you out will make life much easier while you are recovering. This may mean someone bringing you easy to heat prepared meals, or staying with you so they can help with cooking and cleaning. You will also need someone to drive you to your appointments and to work if you don't live in an area with great public transportation. Your loved ones want to help, so let them!
Following these tips and having your hand surgery performed by a skilled orthopedic surgeon will ensure an easier, less stressful experience with a broken hand. Check out a website like https://www.towncenterorthopaedics.com/ for more information and assistance.