Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Fist
Gently squeeze putty into fist, then reposition/ reform (using other hand if necessary) and repeat. You should end up with a ‘fat sausage’ after doing this several times.
Hook
Drag ‘fat sausage’ back up palm from fist to hook (top two joints of fingers bent but knuckles straight). Repeat.
Rolling sausage
Roll putty into a sausage by moving hand forwards/ backwards keeping fingers together straight, then repeat with fingers spread apart.
Pinch
Use circle/ pincer pinch with tips of index or middle finger and thumb, to squeeze and make indents into putty sausage (like pastry pinches). Work your way along to make a ‘dinosaur tail’.
Rooftop exercise
Form the putty into a ball. Form a “rooftop” with the fingers, Leaving the thumb underneath. Place the putty ball between the thumb and finger and squeeze, keeping fingers straight.
Doughnut escapes
Keeping your fingers together, make a doughnut of putty tightly around your fingers. Spread your fingers apart to stretch the putty and try to ‘break out’ from the putty.
Stretch the pizza
Pull the putty out into a thin pizza shape. Starting with your fingers together in a ‘mouse’ with knuckles bent, spread your fingers apart as you straighten them at the knuckles to make tracks in and stretch the pizza.
Individual finger extension
Close one finger or thumb so that the fingertip is close to the palm of the hand. With the other hand, wrap a strip of putty over the tip of the closed finger and grasp both ends. Straighten finger to a fully upright position. Repeat exercise on each finger.
Thumb dig
Form putty into a cylindrical shape and let rest in the palm of the hand. Push thumb through putty until it reaches the palm. Reshape putty and repeat.
Thumb adduction
Put a ball of putty in the thumb web space, press thumb towards index finger
Thumb abduction
Form putty into a ring. Place ring around the index finger and thumb. Move the thumb away from the index finger. Keep the thumb perpendicular to index finger.
If you experience any acute pain whilst doing any of these exercises you should discontinue that exercise until you have been reviewed by your therapist.
Contact details
Hand therapy departments:
0300 6133396 for Frimley
0300 6140540 then Option 2 Wexham or Option 3 for Heatherwood
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/087
Approval date:
1 August 2025
Review date:
1 August 2028
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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.