Care of your wrist and hand after a fracture Te manaaki i tō kawititanga o te ringa me tō ringa i muri i te tāwhatiwhati
Not all wrist and hand fractures are the same. It is important to follow the advice from your healthcare providers. If you have questions, ask your hand therapist, physiotherapist, doctor or orthopaedic nurse.
After your cast is removed
After your cast is removed, you may notice:
- your wrist and fingers are weaker and have less movement
- your wrist aches.
If the skin on your hand and fingers is dry and scaly, wash your hand and forearm in warm soapy water and apply hand cream.
If you have been given a splint or bandage, this should only be used short term (up to 2 weeks if needed). Remove it for exercise sessions and at night.
How to get back your movement and strength
Even though your wrist and hand may feel weak and painful, it is important you use your hand for light and gradually heavier activities.
Your movement and strength should get better over 4 to 6 weeks, and you will get better at everyday activities.
To start with, it will be difficult to lift heavy objects, such as a pan of potatoes. Gradually increasing how much you use your hand will see it improve. Short, frequent use to start with is best.
If you have a lot of discomfort after activities, soaking your arm in warm water may help ease this.
Hand exercises
There are exercises to increase the range of movement of your wrist and hand, and improve its function. Do each of these exercises 10 times with a rest in between. Repeat 4 to 6 times a day while sitting at a table.
You should move as far as you can comfortably without causing too much pain.
Finger exercise
You can do this exercise with the splint on.
Make a full fist then stretch your fingers out straight.
With your fingers straight, spread them wide apart then squeeze them together.
Finger exercise
You can do this exercise with the splint on.
Make a full fist then stretch your fingers out straight.
With your fingers straight, spread them wide apart then squeeze them together.
Thumb exercise
Remove the splint if you have one.
Touch your thumb to the tip of your little finger, then stretch it as far away as you can.
Thumb exercise
Remove the splint if you have one.
Touch your thumb to the tip of your little finger, then stretch it as far away as you can.
Wrist flexion and extension
Remove the splint if you have one.
With your fingers relaxed, bend your wrist forward and backward.
Wrist flexion and extension
Remove the splint if you have one.
With your fingers relaxed, bend your wrist forward and backward.
Pronation and supination
Remove the splint if you have one.
Rotate your forearm so the palm of your hand faces towards you, then rotate it so your palm faces away from you.
Pronation and supination
Remove the splint if you have one.
Rotate your forearm so the palm of your hand faces towards you, then rotate it so your palm faces away from you.