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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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The repaired tendon is weakest in these weeks. Wear the splint day and night and never take it off unless we tell you. Every hour, do the finger exercises we taught you inside the splint: gently bend the fingers part of the way into a fist, then straighten them fully against the splint. Never force them, and never bend them against anything.
Arm use In the splint at all times. Do not grip, lift, carry or push anything with this hand, not even a cup.
Sit with the arm by your side. Bend the elbow slowly as far as it goes, bringing the hand up, then straighten it fully.
Should feel: A gentle stretch at the front or back of the elbow Should not feel: Sharp pain
Sit at a table, slide the hand forward, letting the body follow.
Should feel: A stretch at the end of the range Should not feel: Pinching at the top
Not yet Taking the splint off, gripping anything, pushing the fingers back by force, or getting the splint wet.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
The splint comes off when we advise, usually by week 6. Bend and straighten the fingers fully without force; we will add exercises at each visit. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Arm use Light use only: eating, writing, buttoning. No hard gripping, lifting or carrying.
Rest both hands in a bowl of warm water. Open and close a loose fist slowly while they are in the water.
Should feel: The hands loosening as they warm Should not feel: Water hot enough to sting or redden the skin
Move the fingers through straight, hook, full fist and back to straight.
Should feel: The tendons moving freely Should not feel: Catching
Make a full fist slowly, then open fully.
Should feel: Full movement Should not feel: Catching that hurts
Touch each fingertip to the thumb in turn.
Should feel: Smooth control Should not feel: Locking
Not yet Hard gripping, lifting, carrying bags, or stretching the fingers backwards.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Build grip strength a little at a time. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Arm use Normal light use. Heavier tasks a little at a time.
Squeeze a soft ball gently.
Should feel: The hand working Should not feel: Pain
Gently straighten the fingers back with the other hand.
Should feel: A stretch in the palm Should not feel: Sharp pain
Not yet Heavy lifting, hard pulling, or sport.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Back to full use and work. Carry on with the grip exercises.
Arm use Full.
Squeeze a soft ball gently.
Should feel: The hand working Should not feel: Pain
Not yet Contact sport or very heavy work until we clear you.
Call either clinic during consulting hours, or send a WhatsApp message any time.
