Hand Therapy – Exercises following Volar Plate injury

What exercises should I do following my volar plate injury?

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

Weeks 1 – 2

Splint to be worn at night.

Bedford splint to be worn during the day but to be removed for exercises.

No sports, heavy lifting or weight bearing through affected hand.

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

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

Exercise 2

Use your thumb, index and middle finger of your good hand, to support the middle joint of your injured finger. Then bend the end joint of your injured finger up and down.

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

Exercise 3

Use your thumb, index and middle finger of your good hand, to support the knuckle of your injured finger. Then bend your finger up and down at the middle joint.

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

Week 2 onwards:

You should continue with exercises from weeks 1 – 2, and start doing these additional exercises.

Discard Bedford splint/day splint

Exercise 1

Bend your fingers to your palm. Use over pressure from the thumb of your other hand, to help push your fingers down.

Repetition: x 1.
Hold: 60 seconds.
Complete: Every hour.

Exercise 2

Place your injured hand palm down on the table. Use your other hand to apply pressure to the knuckle of your injured finger.

Repetition: x 3. 
Hold: 60 seconds.
Complete: Every hour.

Weeks 4 onwards:

Continue with all exercises

Continue to splint at night for up to 12 weeks.

Return to sports at 6 weeks.

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 – 4.30pm
You 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

Adi, M., Diaz, J.H., Botero, S.S., Prunières, G., Vernet, P., Facca, S. and Liverneaux, P., 2017. Results of conservative treatment of volar plate sprains of the proximal interphalangeal joint with and without avulsion fracture. Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation, 36(1), pp.44-47.

Gaine, W.J., Beardsmore, J. and Fahmy, N., 1998. Early active mobilisation of volar plate avulsion fractures. Injury, 29(8), pp.589-591.

Povlsen, B. and Singh, R., 2010. Outcome of late presentation of injuries of the volar plate of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Journal of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, 44(3), pp.167-170.

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

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