Hand Exercises
Date issued: December 2022
Review date: December 2024
Ref: C-408/JT/OT/Hand exercises v3
PDF: Hand Exercises final December 2022 v3.pdf [pdf] 238KB
Your therapist will advise you with specific exercises to do which are safe for your condition/injury
Please follow advice from your clinician 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 clinician if you have any concerns.
Your clinician is:…………………………….
Contact telephone number:………………………………….
Tendon Gliding Exercises
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.
If you would like to access the exercise videos, please visit www.hep.video and type in the specific access code related to the exercise.
Access code: VV6H7CMGT
The following exercises are to be performed:…………times a day.
Each movement is to be performed for:…….….repetitions, holding for:…………seconds
Flat Tabletop Movement
Bend the knuckle joints (base of your fingers) forward without bending any other joints of your fingers.
Straighten your fingers.
Hook Fist Movement
Hold your fingers straight.
Bend your fingers down only at the top joints and middle joints.
Straighten your fingers.
Straight Fist Movement
Bend the knuckle joints (base of your fingers) forward without bending any other joints of your fingers.
Then bend your fingers at the middle joints but keeping the tip of your fingers straight. Straighten your fingers.
Full Fist Movement
Make a fist with your hand without clenching it tight.
From Full Fist to Hook Fist
Make a fist with your hand without clenching it tight.
Straighten your fingers at the knuckle joints, follow by your middle joints and end joints.
Passive Exercises
Not to be started until direct by your therapist
If you would like to access the exercise videos, please visit www.hep.video and type in the specific access code related to the exercise.
The following exercises are to be performed:…………times a day.
Each movement is to be performed for:…….….repetitions. Holding each position for:…………..seconds.
Access code: Access code: Access code:
VVYZUYHRX VVC4S9XKB VVSXBUN85
Use other hand to push fingers into palm of hand. Hold for:………..seconds.
Access code: VVGS979QR
Use other hand to push fingers straight/push fingers straight on a flat surface. Hold for:…………seconds.
Isolated Finger Exercises
Top joint of your finger
Place your other hand below the top joint of your finger so that the rest of finger is straight.
Bend the top joint of the finger under your own power
Straighten the finger.
Middle joint of your finger
Place your other hand below the middle joint of your finger.
Keep all other fingers straight.
Bend your finger at the middle joint only.
Straighten your finger.
