Fifth Metacarpal Fracture Rehabilitation Exercises

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You may do the stretching exercises right away when your cast is removed. You may do the strengthening exercises when stretching is nearly painless.

Stretching Exercises

• Wrist Range of Motion
  1. Flexion: Gently bend your wrist forward. Hold for 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10.
  2. Extension: Gently bend your wrist backward. Hold this position 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10.
  3. Side to side: Gently move your wrist from side to side (a handshake motion). Hold for 5 seconds at each end. Do 3 sets of 10.

Strengthening Exercises

• Opposition stretch: Rest your hand on a table, palm up. Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your little finger. Hold this position for 6 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
• Wrist flexion: Hold a can or hammer handle in your hand with your palm facing up. Bend your wrist upward. Slowly lower the weight and return to the starting position. Do 3 sets of 10. Gradually increase the weight of the can or weight you are holding.
• Wrist extension: Hold a soup can or hammer handle in your hand with your palm facing down. Slowly bend your wrist upward. Slowly lower the weight down into the starting position. Do 3 sets of 10. Gradually increase the weight of the object you are holding.
• Grip strengthening: Squeeze a rubber ball and hold for 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10.
• Finger spring: Place a large rubber band around the outside of your thumb and the rest of your fingers. Open your fingers to stretch the rubber band. Do 3 sets of 10.

Written by Scott Coleman, PT, and Phyllis Clapis, PT, DHSc, OCS, for RelayHealth.
Published by RelayHealth.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.