Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (PRICE)

Injuries to your arms and hands

After an injury it is normal for the tissues in your body (joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and skin) to respond with pain and swelling.  Following the advice in this leaflet, especially in the first 72 hours, can help your recovery.

Swelling is a natural and important part as it starts the repair process. However, swelling contains natural chemicals that produce pain and further swelling in the injured area and will make the healing tissues feel stiff. This stiffness can prevent necessary movement.

If you are waiting for an appointment, or have recently had some surgery, you can use the advice in this leaflet to help to decrease the pain and swelling after your injury.

It will also allow a more comfortable plaster or splint to be fitted, should one be necessary.

Protection

Protecting the injured area is particularly important for the first three - five days. Your movement may be restricted by a splint or strapping and it is important to wear this as advised by the hospital staff. If it becomes uncomfortable (too loose or too tight) then please contact the department that gave it to you.

Rest

Whilst rest initially prevents stress on healing tissues, some stress (light movement) is necessary to allow the new tissue to heal well. Early movement may decrease the need for pain medication and allow earlier return to normal activity.

Regularly move the unaffected parts as much as your pain will allow.

Movement of the injured area should be guided by the medical professional.

ICE

Cold treatments can be used on injuries that have not broken the skin. Ice must not be used on an open wound.

Cooling the injured area can help with pain and may help to reduce the swelling. Examples of cold treatment are:

1. Bowl of cold water (for hand)
2. Bag of cold peas (the same packet of frozen peas can be refrozen after each session in order that it may be used again but the peas must not be eaten if they have been defrosted and refrozen)
3. Ice

Remember ice can burn. Please follow these safety procedures:

• Protect the skin with a small amount of unperfumed oil (e.g. baby oil or olive oil)
• Wrap the ice or peas in a damp towel
• Place the cold pack on the painful area for ten to twenty minutes until the skin turns pink
• Repeat this process every two to three hours, after your skin has returned to a normal temperature

Do not:

Use the ice on open wounds, dressings or areas of numbness.

Use ice if you have Raynauds syndrome, sickle cell anaemia or peripheral vascular disease.

Do:

Remove the ice pack immediately if there is any sensation of burning.

Elevation

Avoid resting with your arm by your side or on your lap, as this will increase the swelling in your arm/hand.

Whenever possible try to raise your arm by resting with your arm supported on cushions, so that your hand is higher than your heart.

If you have a swollen wrist or hand, you can reduce this by squeezing and pumping the swelling out of your hand by curling your fingers into your palm, as if you are going to make a fist, and then straightening them out again.

Try to do these exercises between 10 and 15 times every hour.

After the pain and swelling starts to reduce, it is important to gradually increase the use of the affected area and return to your normal activities.

It is normal to have some discomfort when you start to become more active. It can take up to six to eight weeks for the injury to heal and at least three months to feel strong enough for normal use. During this time, it is important to regain your movement. Using your arm and hand will help to regain your strength. It may take several months for your strength to return to normal.Please be guided by the health care professional managing your care and follow any further instructions that they may give you.

Exercising the unaffected parts of your arm

Raising your arm to stretch the shoulder upwards will help the stiffness of your arm joints and improve circulation.

Try to do these exercises between 10 and 15 times hourly.