Composite fist
Make a full fist slowly, then open fully.
- 10 times
- Every hour while awake
Should feel: Full movement Should not feel: Catching that hurts
Home / Patient library / Exercise sheets / Sheet 85
After hand surgery: carpal tunnel, a broken hand bone, or a small hand operation
Hand & wrist · After hand surgery
Count the weeks from the day of your operation. The date is on your discharge card.
If your doctor wrote a different plan on your prescription, follow that instead of this page.
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Weeks 0–2
Keep the hand raised above the level of the heart for the first 2–3 days. Keep the dressing clean and dry until the stitches come out, usually at 10–14 days. Move the fingers from the first day; if one finger is in a splint, move all the others.
Arm use Light use only: eating, writing, dressing. No hard gripping, lifting or pushing with this hand. Wear the splint if we gave you one.
Tendon glides
Move the fingers through straight, hook, full fist and back to straight.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The tendons moving freely Should not feel: Catching
Finger to thumb touches
Touch each fingertip to the thumb in turn.
- 10 rounds
- 3 times a day
Should feel: Smooth control Should not feel: Locking
Elbow bend and straighten
Sit with the arm by your side. Bend the elbow slowly as far as it goes, bringing the hand up, then straighten it fully.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A gentle stretch at the front or back of the elbow Should not feel: Sharp pain
Not yet Getting the wound wet, hard gripping, lifting, or driving.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 2–6
Stitches out. Massage the scar gently with a plain cream for 5 minutes, 3 times a day. Tenderness in the palm on either side of the scar is common and settles over a few weeks. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Arm use Everyday light tasks, a little more each week. Nothing heavier than a full glass of water at first.
Warm water soak
Rest both hands in a bowl of warm water. Open and close a loose fist slowly while they are in the water.
- 5 minutes
- Before the exercises
Should feel: The hands loosening as they warm Should not feel: Water hot enough to sting or redden the skin
Wrist circles
Slow circles in both directions.
- 10 each way
- 3 times a day
Should feel: Free movement Should not feel: Pain over the lump
Wrist side to side
Gentle side-to-side movement.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: Free movement Should not feel: Sharp pain
Palm-up finger stretch
Gently straighten the fingers back with the other hand.
- Hold 20 seconds
- 3 times
Should feel: A stretch in the palm Should not feel: Sharp pain
Prayer stretch
Palms together, lower the hands until you feel a stretch.
- Hold 20 seconds
- 3 times
Should feel: A stretch at the front of the wrist Should not feel: Numbness increasing
Not yet Heavy gripping, tools that vibrate, or pushing up on the palm.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 6–12
Build grip strength and go back to normal work, as the X-ray shows healing if a bone was fixed. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Arm use Normal use. Heavier work a little at a time, as comfortable.
Grip squeeze
Squeeze a soft ball gently.
- 10 times
- 2 times a day
Should feel: The hand working Should not feel: Pain
Table-top hand stretch
Rest the hand flat and gently straighten the fingers.
- Hold 10 seconds
- 10 times
Should feel: A gentle stretch Should not feel: Forcing a stiff joint
Isometric wrist extension
Press the back of the hand upwards against the other hand without moving.
- Hold 10 seconds
- 10 times
Should feel: The forearm working Should not feel: Pain
Isometric wrist flexion
Press the palm downwards against the other hand without moving.
- Hold 10 seconds
- 10 times
Should feel: The forearm working Should not feel: Pain
Not yet Very heavy manual work, or contact sport, until we clear you.
Stop and telephone us if
- Pain that keeps getting worse despite the painkillers
- The fingers become numb, cold, pale or blue
- Numbness or tingling that is worse than before the operation
- Wound redness, discharge or fever
- A finger turns or crosses over the next one when you make a fist, or you cannot bend it
- Burning pain, shiny or discoloured skin, or fingers getting stiffer instead of looser
Ready when you are.
Call either clinic during consulting hours, or send a WhatsApp message any time.