Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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You have injured the tendon(s) in your wrist. These tendons connect to a muscle in your forearm and help your wrist to bend forwards and backwards.
You have had surgery to repair one or more of these tendons and it is important to take care to protect the surgery. Tendons take time to repair, and 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.
Potential problems
Please contact the therapy department on 03006140540 if you suffer any of the following problems:
- Increase in swelling/stiffness/pain
- Skin irritation/soreness
- The splint is rubbing
- The splint is too tight or causing pressure points
- Your hand or fingers turn blue, feel cold or tingle
- Check straps are not too tight
- The splint feels loose
- You are unable to move your thumb or finger/s.
Swelling
It is important to reduce any swelling as quickly as possible.
Keep your hand elevated as much as possible until the swelling has gone down. Every hour move your arm, exercising your elbow and shoulder.
Skin Care
- Wash all areas not covered by the splint
- Avoid wetting unhealed areas or dressings.
- Use moisturiser if your exposed skin becomes dry.
- When bathing/showering, cover your splint in a plastic bag taped to your arm. Keep your arm away from the hot water as this may change the shape of the splint.
Splint Wear
- Keep your splint on at all times until you are instructed to take it off. This will probably be at 4 weeks following your surgery.
- Don’t take the splint off to bath, dress etc. as the repaired tendons may break.
- The splint will only come off to change the dressings and adjust the splint by the Therapists.
- Avoid direct contact with heat, (e.g., radiators / hairdryers and the bath) as this may alter its shape.
What you can do and not do
- DO NOT put any weight on your palm.
- DO NOT drive until advised by your therapist or doctor.
- DO NOT lift anything heavy with your hand
- DO NOT participate in any sporting activities
- DO keep your hand elevated (lifted up above your heart) as much as possible.
- DO start to use your hand for light activities. If you are lifting objects, they should weigh no more than one kilo (two lbs.).
Exercises
Early active motion is a set of exercises around bending and straightening the affected fingers (but not the wrist) following your wrist tendon repair.
Moving and exercising your fingers is essential to prevent stiffness after surgery. Movement has also been shown to promote better tendon healing, however it is very important not to over-exercise your fingers, as this may damage the tendon repair. Therefore, please ensure that you only exercise as instructed by your therapist.
Following your therapist’s instructions will help you to get as much movement as possible back into your fingers, over time.
Complete the following movements in the order below, while wearing your splint.
Please complete the set of exercises below 10 times, holding each position for 5
seconds. Repeat this 4 times each day.
For Wrist Flexor Tendon Repair, add the following exercise:
- Complete passive wrist flexion x 10 repetitions, 5 seconds hold, 4 times a day
- Complete active wrist flexion x 10 repetitions, 2 seconds hold, 4 times a day
For Wrist Extensor Tendon Repair, add the following exercise:
- Complete passive wrist extension x 10 repetitions, 5 seconds hold, 4 times a day
- Complete active wrist extension x 10 repetitions, 2 seconds hold, 4 times a day
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/102
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.