Functional Home Exercises for Patients with Wrist Instability
Filed under Treatments
Functional Home Exercises for Patients with Wrist Instability
Ever wondered what brushing your teeth, dressing, making a U-turn, and playing sports have in common? They all rely on a stable wrist. Wrist stability is crucial for everyday activities, supporting wrist proprioception, coordination, motor control, stability, and mobility (Wietlisbach, 2019). For patients recovering from a wrist injury or patients with wrist instability , maintaining this stability is essential, but keeping up with home exercises can be challenging without engaging tools.
In the clinic, fun tools like a disc stacker or gyroball can motivate patients during exercises. However, at home, adherence can wane without these tools.
Here are some simple wrist exercises patients can incorporate into their daily routine:
1.) Towel Wiping
- Engage in household chores like cleaning tables or mirrors using a soft towel. This activity provides proprioceptive feedback through weight-bearing and tactile sensory input.
2.) Wrist Stability with a Plate
- Hold a plate with a marble on it in the palm of your hand, keeping your elbow close to your side. The goal is to keep the marble centered on the plate. For increased difficulty, add more marbles. This exercise enhances proprioception, wrist stability, and motor control.
3.) Broom Turning and Gripping
- Before sweeping, practice motor coordination and gripping skills. Hold the broom from the top of its handle, slightly above the floor. Release the broom, then gradually grip lower down the handle without letting it touch the floor. Repeat until reaching the end of the handle. This exercise integrates sensorimotor function into daily activities (IADLs).
These exercises not only support rehabilitation but also encourage patients to integrate their therapy into daily tasks. By incorporating these activities into their routine, patients can improve their wrist instability and overall recovery. As always make sure this is an appropriate exercise based on the stage of rehabilitation that the patient is in.
Wietlisbach, C. (2020). Cooper’s Fundamentals of Hand Therapy, 3rd ed. Elsevier Inc.
More To Read
When should you use a Static Progressive Splint in Hand Therapy?
Flowers, K. (2002). A proposed decision hierarchy for splinting the stiff joint, with an emphasis on force application parameters. Journal of Hand Therapy, 15, 158–162. The Skinny- The article proposes a decision hierarchy to determine when you should apply a static progressive or dynamic orthosis. The decision hierarchy uses a modified Weeks test (MWT). The…
Mechanism of Interneural Edema in Carpal and Cubital Tunnel
Mechanism of Interneural Edema Over the last few weeks I have been learning about ultrasonic imaging and carpal tunnel syndrome. When reviewing carpal tunnel syndrome, I learned that intraneural edema is a common sign of compression injuries such as carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel. There are numerous causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, and every scenario…
A Hand Therapist’s Role in Nutrition Education for Wound Healing
By Brittany Day Role of nutrition in wound healing Nutrition plays an important function in the biological factors that contribute to normal wound healing (wound care nutrition). Patients without nutrient dense diets may experience diminished cell production, collagen synthesis, and wound contraction. There is sparse scientific evidence that explores the exact science behind nutrition and…
Volkmann’s Contracture
Written by Melissa Miller Introduction Volkmann’s contracture is a rare condition that occurs after injury to the elbow and upper arm, typically from a crush injury. This condition can occur when acute compartment syndrome is left untreated. If unrecognized, Volkmann’s contracture can lead to a permanent deformity in the hand and forearm. Hand therapists are…
Sign-up to Get Updates Straight to Your Inbox!
Sign up with us and we will send you regular blog posts on everything hand therapy, notices every time we upload new videos and tutorials, along with handout, protocols, and other useful information.