Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Advice for Wrist Tendon Repair 4 weeks after your Surgery
Four weeks after your surgery your tendon is still very weak and has a high risk of rupture, especially if too much strain is placed on the surgical repair.
It will take at least 8 weeks before your tendon is strong enough to perform certain activities and at least 12 weeks before you can return to heavy activities.
Scar
Continue with firm massage over your scar with cream.
Duration: 3-4 times a day for 5 mins
It is important to continue to massage the scar to prevent it from sticking to underlying structures and making movement difficult.
Splint Wear
A thermoplastic splint was made for you to help keep your wrist in a safe position after surgery. You should now only wear the splint at night and for protection (e.g., on public transport and in busy places like shops) for another two weeks.
Exercises
Complete all exercises 10 times every 4 hours.
- Continue with the finger exercises provided in your initial session.
- Bend your wrist slowly forward and backwards x 10.
- Place your hand on a table. Gently move your wrist side to side and hold each movement when you feel a stretch x 10.
- Resting your elbow into your side, gently rotate your forearm so your palm faces the ceiling and then the floor. Hold each position when you feel a stretch x 10.
- Touch thumb to the top of each finger, in turn x 10.
Precautions
To help you recover from injury or surgery on your hand, your therapist will advise about what activities you can and cannot do. As you recover and your injury heals, you will be able to gradually increase the amount of activities you can do.
For the next four weeks after your splint is off:
DO NOT use your hand for anything other than very light activities.
DO NOT lift anything with your hand.
DO NOT push anything with your hand.
DO NOT lean on your hand.
DO NOT push your wrist forward (for extensor tendon rpeairs) or backward (for flexor tendon repairs) using your other hand, as this may damage your repair.
DO NOT drive for another four weeks.
Activities
You should continue to use your hand for light, clean activities, but now not wearing the splint. If you are lifting objects, they should weigh no more than one kilogram (two pounds).
Try to use your hand as normally as possible in day-to-day activities such as typing, writing, eating a meal or dressing (including zips, buttons and shoelaces). Make sure you are using all the fingers and not avoiding or favouring one finger.
Examples of daily activities and their classification (light, medium or heavy) are listed below and when it is safe to perform these activities following your surgery. Your therapist will help guide you.
4-8 Weeks LIGHT activities
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8-10 Weeks MEDIUM activities:
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10-12 Weeks HEAVY activities:
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12 weeks RETURN TO NORMAL USE:
Gradually progress your activities to improve your strength and return to full function. E.g. Contact sports, weightlifting.
Please note this is only a guide.
Please discuss specific activities with your therapist as every injury and person is individual.
Contact Details
If you have any concerns, or need to change your Hand Therapy appointment, please contact the Therapy Department on:
Hand therapy departments: (Lines open 8.30-15.30, Monday – Friday). In an emergency, seek medical advice from a GP or local accident or minor injuries unit.
0300 6133396 for Frimley Park Hospital
0300 6140540 then Option 2 Wexham Park Hospital or Option 3 for Heatherwood Hospital
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/103
Approval date:
23 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.