Hand therapy active thumb exercises

Who is the leaflet for? What is its aim?

This patient leaflet is for patients who have injured their thumb. The aim of the leaflet is to provide information on recovery and exercises.

Following an injury to your thumb you may experience some swelling and stiffness of the fingers. This is very normal and over time these should improve. When a thumb is injured, sometimes soft tissue (tendons, ligaments and muscle) can also be involved, this can make recovery slower. Also, swelling (oedema) can restrict movement of a joint, making the thumb stiff.

The following exercises will help to reduce stiffness and increase thumb movement. When completing them you may experience tightness or a pulling sensation but this is normal. If you experience a sharp pain, reduce the intensity of the exercises or stop for a couple of days to allow the pain to subside.

The thumb has three joints in it. The top joint is called the interphalangeal joint (IPJ), the middle joint is called the metacarpal phalangeal joint (MCPJ) and the joint at the base of the thumb is called the carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ).,

Sit comfortably with your elbow on a table surface and your hand in the air.

Contacts/further information

The occupational therapy department is located in clinic 30 in the Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre (ATC). The occupational therapy reception telephone number: 01223 216769

References/sources of evidence

Davis DI, Baratz M (2010) Soft tissue complications of distal radius fractures. Hand Clinic. 26(2), 229-235.

LaStayo P, Winter K, Hardy M (2003) Bone healing, fracture management and current concepts related to the hand. Journal of Hand Therapy, (16), 81-93.

Mackin EJ, Callahan AD, Skirven TM, Schneider LH, Osterman AL (2002) Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity.5th Edn. Fractures and joint injuries of the hand.

Privacy and dignity

Same sex bays and bathrooms are offered in all wards except critical care and theatre recovery areas where the use of high-tech equipment and/or specialist one to one care is required.