Information for patients
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What exercises should I do following my extensor tendon finger repair?
Only complete the exercises advised by your Hand Therapist. These will be progressed when you are ready.
Making other movements may cause your repair to break.
Weeks 0 -3
Both splints are to be worn at all times.
Commence light activities.
Exercise in your finger and wrist splint. Do not remove your splints for hygiene.
Exercise 1
Straighten your fingers, hold for 10 seconds and then relax.
Repetition: x 10.
Hold: 10 seconds.
Complete: Every 2 hours.
Exercise 2
With your fingers straight, bend your knuckles up and down.
Repetition: x 10.
Hold: 10 seconds.
Complete: Every 2 hours.
Exercise 3
Keep your knuckles straight and bend the top two joints of your fingers over your splint, to make a hook fist
Repetition: x 10.
Hold: 10 seconds.
Complete: Every 2 hours.
Exercise 4
Straighten your fingers and then bend your fingers into a fist (no pain, no strain).
Repetition: x 10.
Hold: 10 seconds.
Complete: Every 2 hours.
Weeks 3 -5
Continue with exercises from weeks 0 – 3, however you can now remove your wrist splint to complete these exercises and for light activities.
Continue to wear your splint at all times.
Both splints must be worn for moderate activities, crowded places and at night.
Exercise 1
With your elbow resting on the table, keep your fingers relaxed and then bend your wrist forwards and backwards
Repetition: x 10.
Hold: 10 seconds.
Complete: Every 2 hours.
Exercise 2
Straighten your fingers and then make a fist keeping the end joints of your fingers straight. This is called a flat fist.
Repetition: x 10.
Hold: 10 seconds.
Complete: Every 2 hours.
Weeks 5 – 7
Your finger splint must be worn at all times and should only be removed for your exercises.
You can now stop wearing your wrist splint.
Continue with moderate activities.
Exercise 1
Straighten your fingers and then bend your fingers into a fist.
Repetition: x 10.
Hold: 10 seconds.
Complete: Every 2 hours.
Exercise 2
Bend your knuckles up and down, keeping your fingers straight
Repetition: x 10.
Hold: 10 seconds.
Complete: Every 2 hours.
Exercise 3
Keep your knuckles straight and bend your fingers to make a hook fist.
Repetition: x 10.
Hold: 10 seconds.
Complete: Every 2 hours.
Exercise 4
Straighten your fingers and then make a fist keeping the end joints of your fingers straight, to make a flat fist.
Repetition: x 10.
Hold: 10 seconds.
Complete: Every 2 hours.
Exercise 5
Rest your elbow on a table. With your fingers relaxed, bend and straighten your wrist.
Repetition: x 10.
Hold: 10 seconds.
Complete: Every 2 hours.
Weeks 7 -8
Stop wearing your finger splint.
Continue with moderate activities.
Week 8
Continue with moderate activities. You can progress to heavier activities but you will need to wear your finger splint once more to perform these tasks.
Contact details
Please contact Hand Therapy if:
- You have any concerns or questions.
- Your splint is rubbing or is uncomfortable.
Contact details are:
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
Hand Therapy Team
Telephone: 01429 522471
Monday to Friday 08:30am to 04:30pm
You will be asked either to attend:
Hand Therapy Team
1st Floor, North Wing
University Hospital of North Tees
or
Physiotherapy Outpatients Department
Ground Floor
University Hospital of Hartlepool
Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints
Patient Experience Team (PET)
We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:
Telephone: 01642 624719
Freephone: 0800 092 0084
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm
Email: [email protected]
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Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.
Telephone: 01642 617617
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Telephone: 01642 383551
Email: [email protected]
Privacy NoticesLeaflet feedback
This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:
Email: [email protected]
Leaflet Reference: PIL1208
Date for Review: 11/07/2027