All surgeries
Surgery & recovery
Hand fracture fixation
Realigning broken bones and holding them with pins, wires, or a plate so they heal in the right position.
Why it's done
- Displaced or unstable fractures
- Fractures involving a joint surface
Typical recovery phases
Timelines are general patterns. Your surgeon's protocol always wins.
- 1Weeks 0–6
Bone healing; protect the construct.
Splint or cast wear as directed; move uninvolved joints.
- 2Weeks 6–12
Restore motion.
Begin gentle motion as your surgeon clears it.
- 3Months 3–6
Strength and return to full activity.
Strength work progresses gradually.
Red flags — call your team
- Increasing swelling, color change, or numbness
- Hardware site pain that worsens
- Fever or drainage
Splints you may wear
Sources
- Hand fractures — American Society for Surgery of the Hand(accessed 2026-04-21)