Hand Extensor Tendon Surgery Therapy

Following the prescribed number of physical therapy sessions, patients are both encouraged and instructed to continue their therapeutic exercises at home to advance the healing process. For those who've experienced a hand injury or have had surgery to repair the any of the flexors and extensors of the hand, basic exercises exist that can aid in getting mobility back to the wrist.

About the Extensors

• Extensors allow for action at the wrist, specifically bringing the hand upward and away from the floor when the forearm is in parallel position. In contrast, flexors are on the palm side of the forearm and perform the reverse action. The various extensor muscles and related tendons and ligaments can take some time to heal post-injury or surgery, so the therapeutic exercises should be performed slowly and with a gradual buildup to a normal range of motion (ROM).

Extensor Exercises

• The simplest exercise is the "Hi & Bye" movement that both flexes and extends the wrist. Sit comfortably at a table and rest your forearm on the table corner so that your hand hangs over the table's surface. Use a towel underneath your forearm for comfort if needed. With your hand relaxed (your fingers will have a natural curvature), slowly bend upward at the wrist, as far as the wrist will allow. Bring the hand back into the neutral (relaxed) position, and if desired, flex the hand downward to the same degree as the extensor movement to help relieve any muscular tension in the forearm. Perform this move at least four to five times daily or as prescribed by the physical therapist. Once a fair ROM can be achieved, add strength to the flexibility of the extensors exercise by holding weighted objects like soup cans or paper weights. To help increase range of motion, perform active stretching on the wrist. In the same relaxed position at the table, grab and hold the fingers of the affected hand with the unaffected hand. Slowly pull the fingers down toward the table until a stretch is felt. Hold this position for five count before returning to neutral. Repeat this stretch the same number of times of the aforementioned exercise. It is recommended to stretch before and after the "Hi & Bye" extensor movement.