Active Tendon Gliding Exercises
Date issued: July 2022
Review date: July 2024
Ref: C-408/FC/OT/Active Tendon Gliding Exercises v2
PDF: active tendon gliding exercise final July 2022 v2.pdf [pdf] 293KB
What is a tendon?
A tendon is the fibrous tissue that attaches muscle to bone.
When you want to move your hand, the muscles contract and pull the tendon, which in turn move the joints in your hand. Therefore, the tendons need to glide fully to allow movement.
What happens following an injury or surgery?
Injury to the hand leads to swelling. This swelling could hinder the gliding of tendons which will make it more difficult to move your hand. Your hand may become stiff.
What are tendon gliding exercises?
Tendon gliding exercises are specific exercises which promote the motion of tendons in the surrounding soft tissues. These exercises help to reduce the adhesion between tendons and surrounding tissues, including the underlying bone, while you are recovering from your injury.
These exercises also help to reduce swelling in your hand.
Your therapist will advise you with specific exercises to do which are safe for your condition/injury
Please follow advice from your Occupational Therapist on the following hand exercises. These exercises will help to improve movement of your hand.
The following exercises are to be performed………………. times a day.
Each movement is to be performed for.…….…. repetitions.
Please contact your Occupational Therapist if you have any concerns.
Your Occupational Therapist is: …………………………….
Contact telephone number: 01752 432220
Exercise 1
Flat Table Top Movement
Bend the knuckle joints (base of your fingers) forward without bending any other joints of your fingers.
Then straighten your fingers.
Exercise 2
Straight Fist Movement
Bend your fingers as you are making a fist but without bending the fingertips.
Then straighten your fingers.
Exercise 3
Hook Fist Movement
Hold your fingers straight.
Bend your fingers down at the top joints and middle joints.
Then straighten your fingers.
Exercise 4
Full Fist Movement
Curl your fingers into a fist but not a tight fist.
Then straighten your fingers.
Exercise 5
From Full Fist to Hook Fist
Make a fist with your hand but not a tight fist.
Straighten your fingers from the knuckle joints first, then follow by the middle joints and end joints.
