Important Notice

This information is provided as supplemental educational material for established patients of Lee M. Reichel, M.D., receiving care through Austin Regional Clinic. It is not individualized medical advice and does not replace the instructions provided directly by Dr. Reichel or your ARC care team.

Every patient’s condition and treatment are different. Do not apply this information to another person or use it to make medical decisions outside Dr. Reichel’s practice. If this information differs from instructions given specifically to you, follow your individualized instructions and contact the office for clarification.

Accessing this page does not establish a physician-patient relationship. This page is not monitored for medical questions or emergencies. For urgent concerns, contact your treating medical team; for an emergency, call 911 or seek emergency care.

For My Patients

LEE REICHEL, M.D.

After-Surgery Care

Recovery is easier when you know what to protect, what to move, and which changes deserve a call. Start with your personalized discharge sheet, then use these pages as a general reference.

Your discharge instructions come first

The instructions from Dr. Reichel and your surgical facility are tailored to your exact procedure. Follow them even when they differ from general information on this website.

Five recovery basics

Protect the surgical area. Keep the dressing or splint clean, dry, and in place for the time written in your instructions.
Control swelling. Elevate the hand or arm above heart level when practical, especially when throbbing or swelling increases.
Move what you were told to move. Comfortable finger, thumb, elbow, or shoulder motion can limit stiffness, but restrictions depend on the procedure.
Use medicine safely. Follow the written pain plan. Do not add medicine, alcohol, or supplements unless you know they are safe with your prescriptions and health conditions.
Watch the trend. Some soreness, bruising, swelling, and stiffness are expected. A rapid or persistent change in the wrong direction deserves attention.

Procedure-specific instructions

After carpal tunnel release

Dressing care, hand motion, swelling control, and the gradual return of strength and sensation.

View carpal tunnel aftercare

After trigger finger release

Protect the incision while keeping the finger gliding and watching for stiffness.

View trigger finger aftercare

After cubital tunnel surgery

Protect the elbow incision, follow the procedure-specific motion plan, and understand gradual nerve recovery.

View cubital tunnel aftercare

Call the surgical team promptly if

Redness, warmth, drainage, bad odor, fever, or wound opening is increasing.
Pain or swelling is rapidly worsening or is not helped by the written plan.
Fingers remain pale, blue, very cold, or markedly more numb after checking that the dressing is not overly tight.
A splint or dressing feels progressively tighter or creates severe pressure.
You have a medication reaction, fall, new injury, or a concern that feels out of proportion.

Call 911 for an emergency

Call 911 for chest pain, severe shortness of breath, signs of stroke, a severe allergic reaction, uncontrolled bleeding, or any other life-threatening emergency.

This page is general education. It does not replace direct medical advice or your personalized postoperative instructions.