Swelling control
We may use compression gloves, compression wraps or finger taping, along with positioning and movement, to help manage swelling.
Scar & oedema management
Protecting movement while your hand heals.
After an injury or operation, swelling and scarring are a normal part of healing. If they are not looked after, they can make your hand feel stiff, tight or sensitive. We help you manage both, working alongside your surgeon's or doctor's advice.
Understanding it
What is going on?
Oedema is the medical word for swelling. It is common after a fracture, sprain or surgery, and in the hand it can quickly limit how far your fingers bend. A scar forms as your body repairs a wound. As it matures, a scar can become raised, firm, tight or sensitive, and it can stick to the tissue underneath and limit movement. Scar and swelling management aims to support healthy healing and keep your hand moving.
Common reasons people come in
- Swollen fingers or hand after a fracture, sprain or surgery
- Stiffness that seems to be linked to swelling
- A scar that feels tight, raised, firm or itchy
- A scar that is sensitive to touch
- A scar that seems to pull when you bend or straighten your fingers
- Advice from your surgeon to start scar care
Our approach
How hand therapy can help.
Scar care
Once your wound has healed and your surgeon agrees, we may use scar massage, silicone products or pressure to help the scar soften and settle.
Desensitisation
If your scar or hand feels overly sensitive, we can gradually introduce different textures and touch to help it become more comfortable.
Keeping you moving
We combine scar and swelling care with exercises so your hand keeps its movement while the tissue heals.
The road back
What recovery can look like.
- Early healing
While the wound is healing, the focus is on protecting it and managing swelling, following your surgeon's or doctor's instructions.
- Wound closed
Once the wound has fully closed and you are cleared to start, scar care and compression can begin.
- Scar maturing
Scars keep changing for many months. We review your scar and adjust your plan as it softens and settles.
- Getting back to normal use
As swelling and scarring settle, the focus moves to strength and returning to your usual activities.
Every recovery is different. Timeframes depend on your injury, any surgery, and your treating doctor's or surgeon's advice.
When to start
Swelling is often easier to manage when it is addressed early, so it is worth booking soon after your injury or surgery. Scar care usually starts once your wound has fully healed and your surgeon is happy for you to begin. If your wound looks red, hot, weepy or is getting more painful, please contact your doctor promptly.
Questions
Scar & oedema management, answered.
When can I start working on my scar?
Scar care usually begins once the wound has fully closed and any stitches are out. Your surgeon or doctor will guide the timing, and we will follow their advice.
Will my scar go away?
Scars do not disappear completely, but they often become softer, flatter and less noticeable as they mature. How a scar heals varies from person to person.
Do I need to buy compression garments?
Not always. We will talk with you about whether compression would help, which products suit your hand, and whether your funding may cover them.
Ready to get started?
No referral needed. Call to book, or send an enquiry and we'll get back to you.