For any kind
of surgery, rehabilitation plays an important role after the surgery.
Carpal tunnel surgery exercises are extremely important for patients who
have undergone Carpal tunnel surgery to help them in recovering completely.
Carpal tunnel surgery exercises are designed for stretching out the forearm
muscles and reducing the tension at the tendons. Listed below are some
of the prominently used Carpal Tunnel Surgery Exercises.
Exercises for Restoring Hand Movement
• Extend the fingers straight from the hand. The thumb also should
point at the same way and it can be relaxed.
• Curl the fingers to meet the top of palm so that the two upper
knuckles can be bent. Touch the fingers to the bottom of palm for straight
fist exercise.
• Stop bending after making 90 degree angle with the hand. Bend the
fingers inwards from other joints and hold for about 5 seconds.
• Do these exercises 10 to 12 times a day.
Thumb Flexion Exercises to Increase Movement of Thumb
• Extend and relax all the fingers. With the help of the thumb, reach
to the pinky finger. Touch the thumb pad to the pad of the pinky finger.
Slowly apply pressure on little finger with the thumb for about 3 seconds.
• Relax both the thumb and little finger. Repeat this about two to
three times a day.
• Open the palm and apply pressure with the other hand to the thumb
bottom part. Pull it back until a stretching feeling is felt. Do it 10
-12 times a day.
Gliding Exercises
• Median nerve gliding and tendon gliding are two types of gliding
exercises which relieve pressure on median nerve. These exercises stretch
out the carpal ligaments and make the blood to flow out of the carpal
tunnel and reduce fluid pressure.
• To do the ulnar glide exercises, extend the arms out of the sides
with the palms in a “stop” like position. Bend the elbows and
bring the hands towards ears. Then extend the arms back and do it for
about 10-12 times.
Forearm Extensor Exercises
• Extend the arm at the front of your position and make the hand
to hang downwards. The palm should be faced down. Then grab the backside
of the hand and push it until a stretching feeling is felt at the back
of the wrist. Now hold in this position for 30-40 seconds and then release.
Wrist Curls Exercises
• This will strengthen the wrists and forearms. Sit in a chair with
handrails. Take soup cans and place the arms on handrails and make the
hands hang off the edge and let the palms face down. Bend the wrists so
that hand goes downwards the floor and bend up again. Repeat this 4 to
6 times.
