Hand therapy passive wrist exercises

Who is the leaflet for? What is its aim?

This patient leaflet is for patients who have injured their wrist who may benefit from passive exercises. Passive exercises involve using the unaffected hand to move the affected hand or wrist. It aims to provide information on recovery and exercises. Family and carers may also find it helpful.

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

The following exercises will help to reduce stiffness and increase wrist movement. When completing these exercises you may experience tightness or a pulling sensation, which 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 stop.

Begin with your hand supported on a table in a comfortable position. Complete the exercises slowly, within a comfortable range.

MyChart

If you have not already done so, we would encourage you to sign up for MyChart. This is the electronic patient portal at Cambridge University Hospitals which allows patients to securely access parts of their health record held within the hospitals’ electronic patient record system (Epic). It is available via your home computer or smart phone.

If you are interested in this please let us know and we can provide information, or look on our website: Visit the MyChart website.

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.