Hand Therapy – Exercise following Surgical Repair to the Central Slip

What exercise should I do after my surgery?

You should only do the exercises your Hand Therapist has advised.

Making other hand movements may cause your repair to break.

Your Hand Therapist will instruct you when to start your exercises and will progress your exercises when you are ready.

Week 1 to 2 (after surgery) – Exercise in your splint

Exercise 1

Bend the tip of your finger up and down.

Repetition: x5

Hold: 5 seconds

Complete every: 1-2 hours

Exercise 2

Keeping your fingers straight, bend and straighten your knuckles.

Repetition: x5

Hold: 5 seconds

Complete every: 1-2

Exercise 3

Bend your wrist up and down over the edge of a table.

Repetition: x5

Hold: 5 seconds

Complete every: 1-2 hours

Week 3 – You should continue with exercises from week 1-2.

You will be given a new exercise splint to complete your next exercise. 

Remove your original splint and place your finger in your new exercise splint.

Gently bend and straighten your finger in the exercise splint.

Once you have finished your exercises, place your original splint back on your finger.

Repetition: x5

Hold: 5 seconds

Complete every: 1-2 hours

Week 4 to 5 – You no longer need to carry out your previous exercises

Exercise 1

Support the middle joint of your finger with your thumb and fingers from your opposite hand.

Then bend the end joint of your finger up and down.

Repetition: x5

Hold: 5 seconds

Complete every: 1-2 hours

Exercise 2

Gently bend your fingers to your palm to make a full list (no strain or pain).

Repetition: x5

Hold: 5 seconds

Complete every: 1-2 hours

Week 6 – You should continue with exercises from week 4.

Exercise 1

Keeping your knuckles straight, bend your fingers to make a hook fist. Then from this position, roll your fingers into your palm to make a full fist. Return to the starting position.

Repetition: x5

Hold: 5 seconds

Complete every: 1-2 hours

Exercise 2

Bend your knuckles, keeping the fingers straight.  Then bend your middle knuckles so that your fingertips touch your palm.  Return to the starting position.

Repetition: x5

Hold: 5 seconds

Complete every: 1-2 hours

Contact numbers

Please contact the Hand Therapy Team if:

• You have any concerns or questions.

• If your splint is rubbing, uncomfortable or damaged.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Hand Therapy Team

Telephone: 01429 522471

Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You will be asked to attend either:

Hand Therapy

First Floor, North Wing

University Hospital of North Tees

Physiotherapy Outpatients Department

Ground Floor

University Hospital of Hartlepool

References

• Evans, R.B., 1994. Early active short arc motion for the repaired central slip. The Journal of hand surgery, 19(6), pp.991-997.

• Howell, J.W. and Peck, F., 2013. Rehabilitation of flexor and extensor tendon injuries in the hand: current updates. Injury, 44(3), pp.397-402.

• Kayalar, M., Bal, E., Toros, T., Sugun, T., Keresoglu, B. and Kaplan, I., 2009. The results of treatment for isolated zone 3 extensor tendon injuries. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica, 43(4), pp.309-316.

• Pratt, A.L., Burr, N. and Grobbelaar, A.O., 2002. A prospective review of open central slip laceration repair and rehabilitation. The Journal of Hand Surgery: British & European Volume, 27(6), pp.530-534.

• Steward, B., 2004. Effectiveness bulletin on tendon injuries.

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

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Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

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Telephone: 01642 383551

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