Exercises following hand tendon repair have the purpose of preventing your repaired tendons from attaching themselves to your surrounding tissue, which would hinder your range of motion, according to the American Association for Hand Surgery. Performing the exercises diligently will determine how much scar tissue you develop and how flexible your scar tissue becomes. Start the exercises while still wearing a splint. Discuss any new exercise program with your medical care provider.
Assisted Finger Lifts
Increase your finger range of motion by doing assisted finger lifts. Sit upright in a firm chair. Place your affected forearm and hand onto a flat, firm surface. Use your unaffected hand to gently lift your affected hand fingers, according to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Gently grasp your affected finger. Slowly and gently lift your affected finger away from the splint. Do each affected finger individually, if needed. Gently lift it toward the ceiling. Lift it as high as possible without causing severe pain. Hold this stretch for 5 seconds. Slowly return your finger to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times with each affected finger. Do this exercise twice daily. Even upon removal of your splint, continue doing this exercise for two weeks. As you become stronger, do this exercise without using your unaffected-side hand.
Joint Bends
Joint bends can help increase your hand tendon range of motion. Place your affected arm on a flat surface. Slowly lift your affected wrist from the surface allowing enough space to bend your knuckles, about 3 inches. Use your nonaffected hand to grab a hold of your affected finger. Do each affected finger individually if you have more than one finger tendon repair. Gently and slowly bend your finger into your palm, according to the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence. Hold this position for 5 seconds. Slowly release the stretch. Use your nonaffected-side hand to gently and slowly unbend your tendon-repaired fingers. Return your finger to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise three times daily.
Rubber Band Strengthening
Strengthen your hand tendons by doing rubber band stretches. Find a thick, durable rubber band or other similar elastic loop. Place the band around the upper knuckles of your affected hand, according to E-Hand.com. Be sure to put your thumb into the loop. Keep your elbow straight as you slowly separate your fingers. Separate as far as possible. Hold this position for three seconds. Slowly return your fingers to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 15 times.
Assisted Hand Curls
Strengthen and stretch your hand tendons by doing a flexion exercise known as a wrist curl, according to iTendonitis.com. Place your affected-side forearm and hand onto a firm, flat surface. Bend your elbow to a 90-degree angle. Open your nonaffected-side hand and place it over the underside of your affected-side fingers, according to E-Hand.com. Your palms will be facing each other. Gently and slowly pull your affected-side wrist back toward your body. Your affected-side palm will be facing away from you. Feel the stretch in your wrist area. Hold this stretch for 6 seconds. Slowly return your wrist to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise five times. Do this exercise three times daily.
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