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Movement library
DexterityFingersThumbPhases 3, 4

Coin pickup

Small object pickup with palm storage

Trains tip pinch and in-hand translation — core dexterity skills.

Best for

  • Fine motor return
  • Nerve recovery

Default dose

3 min • 1×/day

Equipment

Coins

Avoid when

  • Open fingertip wounds

Measurement targets

  • Coins translated per minute

Setup

  • A few coins on a flat surface.

Steps

  1. 1Pick up coins one by one.
  2. 2Hold them in the palm.
  3. 3Move one coin from palm to fingertips at a time.

Cues

  • Quality first, then speed.

Common mistakes

  • Rushing and dropping.

Stop rules

  • Sharp pain (≥ 4/10)
  • Increasing swelling during or after
  • New or worsening numbness or tingling
  • Color change in fingers (pale, blue, red)
  • Wound opens, drains, or feels hot
  • Next morning is worse than the day before

Progressions

  • Smaller coins; eyes-closed practice.

Regressions

  • Larger objects (buttons).
Continue your rehab

What to do next — not a dead end

Suggestions use body region, goal, motion type, and allowed phases — not your medical record. After surgery or a flare, follow your clinician first.

Estimated time

~3 min typical block

~3 min · 1×/day

Equipment

Coins

Rehab stage

Phases 3, 4

Generally lower load — still respect pain and swelling.

When to stop

Sharp pain (≥ 4/10)

Increasing swelling during or after

Full stop rules ↑

Avoid if this sounds like you

Open fingertip wounds

Reread best-for context ↑

Keep momentum without overdoing it

Log a short check-in to protect your streak — even one quality set counts.

Scaling in plain language: Easier — Larger objects (buttons). · Harder — Smaller coins; eyes-closed practice.Full cues ↑