Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Exercises
Your therapist has checked the tendon is healed by watching the tip of your finger / thumb straighten. If there is a droop to the tip of the finger / thumb you will be required to wear your splint for a further two weeks before starting the exercises shown below.
Your tendon is strong enough to start gently bending the tip of your finger / thumb but it is not fully healed. It will take twelve weeks from the start of splinting to be fully healed and strong enough to perform heavy activities. You can start using your hand for light activities without the splint on your finger in two weeks from today.
This leaflet includes exercise to help regain movement of your finger and advice to help protect the tendon until it is fully healed.
Exercise:
- Actively bend the fingers into a hook, aiming for half way the first 1-2 weeks and increasing to full after 2 weeks.
- Actively make a loose fist with all of your fingers for first two weeks and increase to full fist after two weeks.
Do:
- Continue to wear your splint between exercises and at night for another two weeks.
- Use your hand for light activities only with your splint on.
- Do attend any follow-up appointments arranged by your therapist in order to monitor and assist your progress.
- Ask your therapist when you can begin specific activities.
Do not:
- Bend your affected finger with your other hand, this may break the tendon.
- Use your hand for any medium or heavy activities or make a tight fist / grip.
Are there any complications?
- You may be left with a small bump on the top of your joint where the tendon or bone has healed. This doesn’t affect the movement but can change the appearance.
- You may have a slight droop to the end of your finger; this is very common and doesn’t usually affect the function of the finger.
- It may take several months to regain full movement and function. There may be redness, swelling and tenderness of the joint for up to four months.
- Very occasionally the tendon may fail to heal. The end joint will have a permanent droop but usually function is not affected. If this occurs a consultation with a hand surgeon can be arranged.
Contact Details
If you have any concerns, or need to change your Hand Therapy appointment, please contact the Therapy Department on:
Frimley Park Hospital: 0300 613 3396
Heatherwood Hospital: 0300 614 0540 Option 3
Wexham Park Hospital: 0300 614 0540 Option 2
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Hand therapy service.
About this information
Service:
Hand therapy
Reference:
UU/026
Approval date:
19 February 2026
Review date:
1 February 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.