How to Build Up Stamina After Wrist Surgery

Surgery to the wrist can occur for a few different reasons, including correcting a nerve entrapment, like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or to correct broken bones. After the surgery, building up the stamina in the wrist and body is important in order to maintain good health. Before surgery, exercise is not always possible, especially in the arms and upper body. Nerve problems can even result in muscle wasting, which means the muscles are atrophying and they are no longer very strong. Building up stamina allows for the gradual buildup of muscles in the wrist and hand after surgery.

Things You'll Need

• Gripper
• 1-pound weight

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Allow the hand to heal. Before starting on stamina building in the wrist, let it recover fully to prevent further injury. Ask your doctor about the appropriate time frame to begin building up the muscles in the wrist. Another stamina-building exercise, like skipping and jogging, is an option and will help the overall health of the body while the wrist recovers from surgery. Start exercises only after your doctor gives her permission.

• 2

  Stretch the arms and wrist fully. Always take the time to stretch before doing any exercise. This prevents pulled muscles or injuries, especially in the case of nerve damage. This also improves the muscles' elasticity, which usually decreases after surgery.

• 3

  Hold a gripper or gripping ball in the hand and gently flex the hand until the gripper moves or the gripping ball is squished. Slowly release until the gripper or gripping ball is in the original position. This improves grip and rebuilds the muscles in the hand. Repeat this 10 times and then rest. Do three sets of 10.

• 4

  Rest the forearm on a table or counter so that the hand is hanging over the edge and can move up and down easily. Hold a 1-pound weight and move the wrists slowly up and down. Repeat for three sets of 10 each day.

• 5

  Exercise daily. It takes only about 10 minutes, but the stamina and flexibility in the wrist will increase. When the exercises with the light weight become easy, add another pound and gradually build up to five pounds of weight.