Your wrist consists of many small bones; the one most commonly resulting in a broken wrist is the scaphoid. Recuperating from a broken wrist involves many strengthening and stretching maneuvers that concentrate on improving your finger and wrist functioning. Consult with your doctor first, since not all exercises may work for your individual condition or injury.
Finger Flexing
Exercises that concentrate on keeping your fingers flexible and fully functioning play a key role in properly recuperating from a broken wrist, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. While working on restoring movement to your broken wrist, include some finger stretching exercises that use rubber bands as exercise tools. Sit upright in a firm chair. Place a medium-width rubber band around all the first knuckles of your injured hand, including your thumb. Gently separate your fingers while stretching the rubber band. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Slowly return to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise three times.
Praying Stretches
Help restore movement to your broken wrist by including some gentle stretching exercises that increase flexibility of your lower arm, wrist and finger muscles without putting additional stress upon the area. Start doing some wrist stretches that imitate the praying pose. Stand or sit for this exercise. Gently place your hands together in front of your chest, palms touching each other. Point your fingers upward. Gently lift your elbows until you feel a mild stretch in your wrists. Hold this gentle stretch for 15 seconds. Slowly return to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Wrist Curls
Work on strengthening your wrists to make lifting, holding onto and carrying items less tiring. Start using hand weights as part of your exercise regimen to restore movement in your broken wrist. Buy 1- or 2-lb. hand weights or make your own weights out of filled gallon jugs, bags of beans and/or filled soup cans. Strengthen your wrists with curls, suggests the National Institute on Aging. Sit upright in a firm chair with armrests. Place your injured forearm on the armrest with your wrist unsupported over the side, palms facing the ceiling. Place a 1-lb. weight into your injured-side hand. Slowly lift the weight toward the ceiling. Hold this position for five seconds. Gently return to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Assisted Flexions
During initial stages of injury, especially after having a cast removed, your broken wrist will be too weak or stiff to move on its own. Use your healthy hand to gently stretch your injured wrist. Restore movement to your broken wrist by doing some wrist flexion exercises. Sit or stand for this exercise. Gently raise your injured arm in front of you, palm facing downward. Place your healthy hand on top of your injured-side hand. Use your healthy hand to gently push down on your injured wrist until you feel a mild stretch along the top of your wrist. Keep your injured-side elbow straight. Hold this stretch for 10 seconds. Slowly return to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
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