Hand Therapy – Exercises following Flexor Pollicis Longus (FPL) repair

What exercises should I do after my surgery?

You should only do the exercises your Hand Therapist has advised. These will be progressed when you are ready.

Making other hand movements may cause your repair to break.

Week 1

Exercise in your splint but remove the thumb and palm straps

Exercise 1

Use your other hand to bend your thumb down to your palm.

Repetition: x 5.
Hold: 5 seconds.      
Complete: Every 1 – 2 hours.

Exercise 2

Straighten your thumb out so the back of your thumb touches the splint.

Repetition: x 5.
Hold: 5 seconds.
Complete: Every 1 – 2 hours.

Exercise 3

Place three fingers on your other hand into the palm of your operated hand, so that they are in contact with the base of your thumb. Bend the tip of your operated thumb over these three fingers.

Repetition: x 5.
Hold: 5 seconds.
Complete: Every 1 – 2 hours.

Exercise 4

Use the tip of your thumb to touch the tip of each finger in turn.

Repetition: x 5.
Hold: 5 seconds.
Complete: Every 1 – 2 hours.

Exercise 5

Use the first two fingers of your other hand to apply pressure to the base of your thumb just above the bottom knuckle of your thumb.  Now bend and straighten the tip of your thumb.

Repetition: x 5.
Hold: 5 seconds.
Complete: Every 1 – 2 hours.

Week 2: You should continue with the exercises from week 1 but progress exercise 3.

Place two fingers of your other hand into the palm of your operated hand, so that they are in contact with the base of your thumb.  Bend the tip of the operated thumb over these two fingers.

Repetition: x 5.
Hold: 5 seconds.
Complete:  Every 1 – 2 hours.

Week 3: You should continue with the exercises from week 1 but progress exercise 3.

Place one finger of your other hand into the palm of your operated hand, so that it is in contact with the base of your thumb. Bend the tip of the operated thumb over this finger.

Repetition: x 5.
Hold: 5 seconds.
Complete: Every 1 – 2 hours.

Week 4 onwards:

Your splint is to be removed for these exercises

Exercise 1

Place the back of your hand on a table. Use your other hand to bend your thumb down to your palm.

Repetition: x 5.
Hold: 5 seconds.
Complete: Every 1 – 2 hours.

Exercise 2

Place your hand palm down on a table.  Lift your thumb off the table.

Repetition: x 5.
Hold: 5 seconds.
Complete: Every 1 – 2 hours.

Exercise 3

Place your palm down on a table.  Slide your thumb out to the side and back again. 

Repetition: x 5.
Hold: 5 seconds.
Complete: Every 1 – 2 hours.

Exercise 4

Place the back of your hand on a table. Use the tip of your thumb to touch the tip of each finger in turn. Once touching the tip of your little finger, slide the tip of your thumb down to the base of your little finger.

Repetition: x5.
Hold: 5 seconds.
Complete: Every 1 – 2 hours.

Exercise 5

Rest your elbow on a table. With your fingers relaxed bend and straighten your wrist.

Repetition: x 5.
Hold: 5 seconds.
Complete: Every 1 – 2 hours.

Exercise 6

Hold the bottom knuckle of your thumb between the thumb and index finger of your other hand. Bend the tip of your thumb up and down.

Repetition: x 5.
Hold: 5 seconds.
Complete: Every 1 – 2 hours.

Contact Details

Please contact the Hand Therapy Team if:

• you have any concerns or questions regarding your exercises
• if your splint is rubbing, uncomfortable or damaged.

Hand Therapy Team

Telephone: 01429 522471
Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pmYou will be asked to attend either:

Hand Therapy

1st Floor, North Wing
University Hospital of North Tees

Physiotherapy Outpatients Department

Ground Floor
University Hospital of Hartlepool

References

Giesen, T., Sirotakova, M., Copsey, A.J. and Elliot, D., 2009. Flexor pollicis longus primary repair: further experience with the tang technique and controlled active mobilization. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume), 34(6), pp.758-761.

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

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Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

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Telephone: 01642 617617

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