When Can You Swim After Wrist Surgery?
You can generally swim in a swimming pool one week after wrist surgery, but you should wait two weeks before swimming in lakes or the ocean.
Understanding Swim Timelines Post-Wrist Surgery
After wrist surgery, it's crucial to allow your incision site to heal properly to prevent infection and complications. The timing for returning to water activities differs depending on the type of water body, primarily due to varying levels of sterility and potential contaminants.
Key Timelines:
- Swimming Pool: You may enter a swimming pool a week after surgery. Swimming pools are typically chlorinated, which helps maintain a cleaner environment, reducing the risk of infection to your healing incision.
- Lakes or Ocean: It is recommended to wait two weeks after surgery before swimming in lakes or the ocean. These natural bodies of water contain more bacteria and potential contaminants compared to chlorinated pools, increasing the risk of infection to a fresh surgical wound.
For a quick overview, refer to the table below:
| Water Body | Time After Surgery |
|---|---|
| Swimming Pool | 1 Week |
| Lakes or Ocean | 2 Weeks |
What to Expect: DuraPrep Discoloration
You might notice a yellow discoloration on your hand and arm after surgery. This is a normal and expected part of the recovery process. This yellow tint is from a long-lasting surgical prep solution called DuraPrep, which is used to sterilize the skin before the operation. It's designed to stay on for a while and will gradually fade.
Always follow your surgeon's specific post-operative instructions, as individual recovery times and recommendations may vary.
