Fifth Metacarpal Fracture Rehabilitation Exercises
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: Active range of motion
- Flexion: Gently bend your wrist forward. Hold
for 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10.
- Extension: Gently bend your wrist backward.
Hold this position 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10.
- 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 injured 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 exercise: 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 exercise: 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, for McKesson Health Solutions LLC.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2003 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.