Hand Infections
Date issued: November 2023
Review date: November 2025
Ref: B-499/JT/Occupational Therapy/Hand Infections
PDF: Hand Infection.pdf [pdf] 429KB
Hand Infections
Hands and the structures within them are prone to infections from bacteria, viruses and fungal (microorganisms) sources. The anatomy of the hand is complex in that a relatively trivial injury may cause disproportionate amount of damage.
What causes an infection in the hand?
Many infections in the hand can result from a simple cut from a sharp object, including bites from animals. This creates an environment for bugs to enter the wound and spread.
What are the symptoms of a hand infection?
Often patients will present with an area of throbbing pain and redness. The area may be swollen, warm and tender to touch or move. Some finger infections cause fingers to be held in a bent position.
Treatment of hand infections
Some types of infection can be treated with antibiotics and local rest and soaking.
However, many infections begin to cause severe problems, requiring surgical drainage, and removal of infected tissues.
Hand infections can cause severe problems that persist even after the infection has resolved, such as stiffness, loss of strength, and even loss of tissues such as skin, nerve and even bone.
Early and aggressive treatment/exercises of hand infections is essential.
Your therapist will advise you with specific exercises to do which are safe for your condition.
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:………………………………….
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.
Passive Exercises
It is important to start with these exercises as they help to improve the stiffness in your hand and prepare your hand for active tendon gliding exercises.
Passive Flexion
Use other hand to push the individual joints of the affected finger.
Use other hand to push all fingers into palm of hand.
Passive Extension
Use other hand to push fingers straight/push fingers straight on a flat surface.
Active Tendon Gliding Exercises
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.
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.
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.
What can you do to reduce swelling in your finger/hand?
It is normal to have swelling after an injury. Swelling can make your hand uncomfortable and stiff. Most of the swelling should settle down in about 4 to 6 weeks but occasionally it will take a lot longer than expected.
You can keep the swelling down by elevating your hand above your heart as often as possible. You can rest your hand on a couple of pillows at night to keep it slightly elevated.
Your clinician may advise you to use a compression wrap to reduce the swelling.
You can also try wrapping an ice pack or bag of frozen peas in a damp tea towel and putting this on your hand in the first few days of your injury. Leave for 10 minutes or less and repeat 3 times a day. If you suffer from circulation problems, it is not appropriate for you to use a cold compress.
