Grip Strengthening
Hand/Fingers
Phase 3
Sets
Reps
5
5
Week: 4-6
Grip Strengthening
Purpose: Rebuild hand strength for daily tasks (holding utensils, lifting light objects, typing/gripping tools).
Equipment: Soft ball, rolled towel, or therapy putty.
How to do it:
1) Hold the ball/putty in your palm.
2) Squeeze gently to moderately (avoid “max effort” early).
3) Hold the squeeze 2–5 seconds, then fully relax and open the hand.
4) Keep your wrist in a neutral position (not bent forward/back).
What you should feel: Muscle fatigue in the hand/forearm; avoid sharp pain or increasing tingling.
Dosage: 5 sets of 10 reps (or seconds/holds if that is how your therapist prescribed it). Rest 30–60 seconds between sets.
Progression:
- Increase hold time up to 5–10 seconds.
- Move from soft to firmer putty/ball.
- Add “pinch” work (key pinch, tip pinch) if approved.
Comfort and safety:
Move slowly and stay in a comfortable range. A mild stretch or light muscle fatigue is okay; sharp pain is not.
Stop and contact your care team if you notice increasing swelling, redness, warmth, drainage, fever, or new/worsening numbness/tingling.
Follow any post-op precautions, lifting limits, and motion restrictions given by your surgeon or therapist.