How long can I expect to be off work after wrist surgery?
Mia Smith
Published Feb 10, 2026
How long can I expect to be off work after wrist surgery?
A Few Weeks of Rest Depending on the type of wrist surgery you get done, your recovery can be anywhere from 4 – 12 weeks. Most patients are able to heal in about a month and can begin rehabilitation soon after. During the healing period, you should wear appropriate casts or braces as directed by your surgeon.
How long is recovery from plate and screws in wrist?
Most patients will be able to perform most activities of daily living at about 6 weeks but with residual stiffness, with recovery of about 50% of their normal wrist motion. At about 3 months, most patients have regained most of their motion in their hand and wrist as well as strength.
How long do you stay in hospital after wrist surgery?
You will probably spend one to two nights in hospital, and your arm will be in a splint for up to six weeks. You will need at least two weeks off work after surgery.
How is recovery from wrist surgery?
Top 5 Tips for Recovery from Wrist Surgery
- Elevate your hand to decrease swelling.
- Begin mobilizing fingers as soon as possible to avoid stiffness.
- Ice to reduce inflammation.
- Attend physical therapy with a Certified Hand Therapist.
- Follow your surgeon’s recommendations for full activity.
Do you need physical therapy after broken wrist?
Distal radius fractures—as these injuries are called—are often serious and may require surgery, but regardless of what treatment is needed, physical therapy will be essential to ensure that you have a complete recovery.
Should I move my fingers after wrist surgery?
Start to exercise your fingers, thumb, elbow and shoulder immediately after surgery. It is important to keep these joints moving to stop them from stiffening. Initially, it might feel uncomfortable to do these exercises but with regular practice they will become easier and your movement will improve.
Are you awake for wrist surgery?
In most hospitals, surgery on the hand and wrist is usually performed using regional anesthesia and intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia. Patients must undergo preoperative tests, fast starting the night before, and spend an hour or more in a recovery room.
How long after wrist surgery can I drive?
Conclusions: Most patients could safely return to driving within 3 weeks of surgery. Pain was the primary limiting factor affecting driving ability. Safe return to driving may be warranted within 3 weeks of distal radius volar plate fixation in some patients.
How long does wrist surgery take?
This typically takes between 12-36 hours. You will not feel pain and you will receive medicine that will make you forget the majority of the surgical procedure.
Should you wear a wrist for support after a broken wrist?
Patients may still be advised to wear a soft wrist splint at night for 1 to 2 weeks after the cast is removed to stabilize the wrist and help patients sleep better. Regardless of the approach used to treat a distal radius fracture, physical therapy is essential to the recovery process.
Can you drive with a broken wrist?
At this time, there are no distinct rules regarding exact timeframes or circumstances for clearing patients to return to driving after a wrist fracture. Many people will be advised not to drive until the cast is removed and until you are able to use your hand comfortably for other daily functional activities.
How long does a wrist operation take?
A distal radius ORIF is a 30-90-minute outpatient surgery that is typically performed under either general anesthesia or regional “nerve block” anesthesia. After the patient is comfortable and asleep, the procedure is performed through the following steps: An incision is made on the palm side of the forearm and wrist.