I had closed reduction surgery on a dislocated/fractured 4th and 5th metacarpal

The ole saying if it hurts don't do it.  I had hand surgery due to Dupuytrens contracture two fingers were frozen as tight as a drum in a fist position. I was splinted for two weeks and referred to therapy special exercises to get the hand and fingers moving without causing pain or compromising surgery or additional damage. 

Wait until you contact your doc. Ask about therapy and when you can start. 

My first hand surgery was 1971...over the years I have learned a lot...

4 weeks is too short a time for your fractures to heal...so take deep breath .

Hands are awesome and have such marvelous dexteritym...AND hands need to be gently encouraged to recover.. one hand has 27 bones that move in a delicate symphony with muscles and tendons...your leg has three bones, your arm has three bones...and your two hands account for 54 of the 207 bones thst make up the human body!

You can not make a complete fist when you have inflammation and swelling in the hand.

A kitchen sink filled with very warm soapy water is a great place to exercise. The very warm water is soothing and will make mivement easier. Do not force movement. Open and close your hand slowly, purposefully...when you have made your best active fist, hold it 10 seconds, release, repeat. After 5 repetitions, make the fist and use your good to gently, barely nudge the fist and hold it, release.

If you do this 5 times per day and spend 30 minutes with your hand elevated above your heart on ice you should see a steady improvement.

A simple fracture on a two year old heals in 6 weeks...on an adult who required surgical intervention more likely 8-12 weeks. Remember, you want to lift and carry, throw a ball, move a sofa when this is all over with.

And please, discuss your therapy with a physical therapist or better yet an occupational therapist.

Tuesday, I will be 12 weeks post surgery and yes, I am anxiously waiting for the release of all of the rules which have protected me during recovery phase...push the exercise will come...promise.

chin up!

My first hand surgery was 1971...over the years I have learned a lot...

4 weeks is too short a time for your fractures to heal...so take deep breath .

Hands are awesome and have such marvelous dexteritym...AND hands need to be gently encouraged to recover.. one hand has 27 bones that move in a delicate symphony with muscles and tendons...your leg has three bones, your arm has three bones...and your two hands account for 54 of the 207 bones thst make up the human body!

You can not make a complete fist when you have inflammation and swelling in the hand.

A kitchen sink filled with very warm soapy water is a great place to exercise. The very warm water is soothing and will make mivement easier. Do not force movement. Open and close your hand slowly, purposefully...when you have made your best active fist, hold it 10 seconds, release, repeat. After 5 repetitions, make the fist and use your good to gently, barely nudge the fist and hold it, release.

If you do this 5 times per day and spend 30 minutes with your hand elevated above your heart on ice you should see a steady improvement.

A simple fracture on a two year old heals in 6 weeks...on an adult who required surgical intervention more likely 8-12 weeks. Remember, you want to lift and carry, throw a ball, move a sofa when this is all over with.

And please, discuss your therapy with a physical therapist or better yet an occupational therapist.

Tuesday, I will be 12 weeks post surgery and yes, I am anxiously waiting for the release of all of the rules which have protected me during recovery phase...push the exercise will come...promise.

chin up!