Review Question - QID 211248

A 45-year-old male injures his wrist during Live Action Role Play in Chicago two weeks ago. He underwent operative fixation by and presents to your clinic for his 2 week follow-up visit. You review his operative note in which the surgeon reports having to apply a volar locking plate in a distal position to secure the difficult intra-articular fracture. The patient shows you the lateral film in Figure A. You remove his splint, he has no difficulty moving any fingers, very minimal pain, and is not taking any narcotic medication. How do you counsel him about his post-operative period?