Regimens by condition & phase
Programs vary by condition, recovery phase, and what limits you most — stiffness, pain, weakness, numbness, scar, dexterity, or endurance.
Recovery marketplace (education)
Curated assistive ideas with retailer search shortcuts — not medical advice. Mark what you already own in My kit on the shop hub.
Hand-heavy jobs and phased rehab
Match education profiles to work-shaped loads — then pick a condition program below. Education only, not job-site clearance.
Pick a condition
Condition-specific programs
Phases, exercises, dose tables, equipment, and progression rules on each page.
Search program names and topics, or filter by dominant limitation. Educational programs only — not medical advice.
Showing 15 of 15 programs
- stiffnessweakness
General stiffness after immobilization
Common after cast removal, splinting, swelling, or a long rest period — fingers and wrist feel stuck and weak.
Phases: 1, 2, 3, 4Open - stiffnessweakness
Hand or finger fracture recovery
After a healing fracture: stiffness, weak grip, swelling, fear of using the hand, and finger extension loss are common.
Phases: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Open - scarstiffnessweakness
Tendon injury or tendon repair
Flexor and extensor tendon injuries follow strict protocols — too much force can rupture the repair, too little motion causes adhesions.
Phases: 0, 1, 2, 3Open - numbnesspain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Median nerve irritation causing numbness, tingling, weak pinch, and night symptoms. Aim is gentle nerve and tendon glide, not aggressive stretching.
Phases: 1, 2, 3Open - painstiffness
Trigger finger
Catching or locking finger with pain at the base. Heavy gripping during the catching phase usually backfires.
Phases: 1, 2, 3Open - painstiffnessweakness
Arthritis of the hand
Joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced pinch. Arthritis programs need a 'flare mode' for swollen days.
Phases: 1, 2, 3, 4Open - painweakness
Wrist sprain or ligament irritation
Pain with weight-bearing or twisting, often with weak grip because the wrist is acting as a painful foundation.
Phases: 1, 2, 3, 5Open - numbnessdexterity
Nerve injury, numbness, or sensory loss
After nerve repair, crush, or compression — sensation may return as tingling, buzzing, hypersensitivity, or patchy feeling before it feels normal.
Phases: 1, 2, 3, 4Open - scarstiffness
Scar tightness & tendon adhesions
After surgery, deep cuts, burns, or crush injuries — a small scar can tether tissue if it does not glide.
Phases: 2, 3, 4Open - painstiffnessnumbness
Crush injury
Crush injuries often recover unevenly — motion, pain, nail sensitivity, numbness, and strength may all improve at different speeds.
Phases: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4Open - scarstiffness
Burns and skin tightness
Skin contracture and scar sensitivity can punish missed motion. Frequent very small sessions matter more than long ones.
Phases: 1, 2, 3, 4Open - weaknessdexterity
Neurological hand weakness or stroke-like recovery
After stroke or central nervous-system injury — repetition and task relevance often beat isolated strength work.
Phases: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Open - stiffnesspain
Ganglion cyst (wrist or hand)
A common fluid-filled lump near a joint or tendon sheath. After aspiration or excision, gentle motion and gradual loading are typical themes — follow your clinician's protocol.
Phases: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Open - numbnesspain
Cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve at elbow)
Ulnar nerve irritation at the elbow can cause pinky or ring finger numbness and hand weakness. Gentle nerve glides and posture changes are common themes when cleared.
Phases: 1, 2, 3, 4Open - stiffnessweakness
Boutonniere deformity / central slip injury
Extensor tendon imbalance at the middle joint can limit finger straightening. Therapy emphasizes protected motion and selective tendon balance — always follow your surgeon or therapist protocol.
Phases: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4Open
The dominant limitation
Different problems, different programs
Shape your program around what limits you most.
- Stiffness dominantMore mobility and tendon/nerve gliding.
- Weakness dominantProgressive strength after clearance.
- Numbness dominantSensory retraining and safety awareness.
- Pain dominantLower dose, flare management, joint protection.
- Scar dominantScar mobility plus tendon gliding.
- Dexterity dominantTask-specific fine motor drills.
- Endurance dominantLonger functional intervals.
The phase ladder
Universal recovery phases
Every regimen sits in a phase — advance only when symptoms stay calm.
- 0
Protection & red flags
Avoid making the injury worse.
Elevation many times daily; cleared motion 3–6 micro-sessions/day; no heavy grip; no aggressive stretching.
Phase details - 1
Early motion & swelling control
Keep tissue moving without stressing healing structures.
5–10 min/session × 3–5/day; low intensity; smooth movement; no forcing end range.
Phase details - 2
Active range of motion & tendon gliding
Restore normal joint motion and tendon sliding.
10–15 min × 3/day; hold gentle end-ranges 3–10s; track fist closure & finger straightening.
Phase details - 3
Light strengthening
Rebuild grip, pinch, wrist, and endurance without irritating tissue.
1–3 sets × 8–15 reps; 2–4 days/week; increase only when symptoms stay calm 24h.
Phase details - 4
Dexterity & coordination
Make the hand useful in real life again.
5–15 min daily; short and precise; stop before fatigue causes sloppy movement.
Phase details - 5
Endurance & return to work / sport
Tolerate real loads, speed, vibration, repetition, and awkward positions.
3–5 days/week; change one variable at a time (time, load, speed, range, complexity); 24h symptom check.
Phase details