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Exercises for the thumb

Information for patients

NHS Lanarkshire Hand Therapy Department

PIL.XTHUMB.56206.M

Exercises

Thumb opposition

  1. Action: Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of each finger, then move down the creases of each finger. Stretch you thumb back each time.

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Step 1 of a series of thumb exercises
Step 2 of a series of thumb exercises
Step 4 of a series of thumb exercises
Step 3 of a series of thumb exercises

Flexion Extension

  1. Action: Slide thumb across palm towards little finger. Bend at end joint of thumb. Relax and raise and straighten thumb to ceiling. Stretch thumb web.
thumb extending across palm

Abductions

  1. Action: Move thumb away from palm and stretch thumb web. Return to palm.
stretch thumb away from palm

Thumb IP flexion

  1. Action: Stabilise thumb below end joint. Bend and straighten tip of thumb at end of joint only.
bend and straighten tip of thumb

MCP flexion

  1. Action: Stabilise thumb second joint. Bend and straighten thumb at second joint.
bend and straighten tip of thumb at second joint

6.  Action: Roll the tip of your thumb against the side of the index finger, moving from one long nail edge to the other. The movement must come from the base of your thumb:

roll tip of thumb<br />

7. Action: Rotate your thumb

rotate your thumb

Passive exercises

  1. Action: Stretch the thumb into the palm using your other hand
stretch thumb into palm using other hand
  1. Action: Stretch the thumb away from the palm.
stretch thumb away from palm

10. Action: Stretch the thumb to the side using your other hand.

stretch thumb away from palm to the side

Thumb strengthening exercises

  1. Action: Place your thumb in a relaxed position. Whilst the other hand is resisting the movement, move the thumb up. Repeat this in a downward and sideways resisted movement
move thumb up whilst relaxed<br />

12. Action: Place a rubber band around your hand, crossing around the middle of your thumb and move the thumb away from your palm

move thumb away from palm whilst in rubber band

13. Action: With the little finger side of the hand resting on the table, move the thumb up towards the ceiling, keeping the tip of the thumb bent

move thumb towards the ceiling, with tip bent
If you have any questions then please call your hand therapist on:

i

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Pub. date: June 2021
Review date: June 2023
Issue No: 01a
Reference: PIL.XTHUMB.56206.M
21_09993

If you need this information in another language or format, please e-mail:

Translation.Services@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

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