Back
Print 

Hand Arthritis: Exercises

Skip Navigation

Top of the page

Introduction

Here are some examples of exercises for you to try. The exercises may be suggested for a condition or for rehabilitation. Start each exercise slowly. Ease off the exercises if you start to have pain.

You will be told when to start these exercises and which ones will work best for you.

How to do the exercises

Tendon glides

slide 1 of 6
slide 1 of 6, Tendon glides,
  1. In this exercise, the steps follow one another to a make a continuous movement.
  2. Hold your hand upward. Your fingers and thumb will be pointing straight up. Your wrist should be relaxed, following the line of your fingers and thumb.
  3. Curl your fingers so that the top two joints in them are bent, and your fingers wrap down. Your fingertips should touch or be near the base of your fingers. Your fingers will look like a hook.
  4. Make a fist by bending your knuckles. Your thumb can gently rest against your index (pointing) finger.
  5. Unwind your fingers slightly so that your fingertips can touch the base of your palm. Your thumb can rest against your index finger.
  6. Return to your starting position, with your fingers and thumb pointing up.
  7. Repeat the series of motions 8 to 12 times.
  8. It's a good idea to repeat these steps with your other hand.

Intrinsic flexion (hand)

slide 2 of 6
slide 2 of 6, Intrinsic flexion (hand),
  1. Rest your affected hand on a table with your thumb up and your fingers straight out.
  2. Slowly bend the large joints where your fingers connect to your hand. Keep your thumb and the other joints in your fingers straight.
  3. Move back to your starting position, with your hand straight.
  4. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
  5. It's a good idea to repeat these steps with your other hand.

Isolated MP-joint extension (finger straight)

slide 3 of 6
slide 3 of 6, Isolated MP-joint extension (finger straight),
  1. Place your affected hand flat on a table.
  2. Lift your affected finger off the table and then lower it. For some types of problems, you may be asked to do each finger, one at a time.
  3. Repeat 8 to 12 times.

MP-joint extension

slide 4 of 6
slide 4 of 6, MP-joint extension,
  1. Place your unaffected hand on a table, palm up. Rest your affected hand on top with your fingers loosely curled.
  2. Slowly straighten the joints of your affected hand where your fingers connect to your hand so that only the top two joints of your fingers are bent. Your fingers will look like a hook.
  3. Move back to your starting position.
  4. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
  5. It's a good idea to repeat these steps with your other hand.

Isolated PIP-joint extension

slide 5 of 6
slide 5 of 6, Isolated PIP-joint extension,
  1. Place your good hand on a table, palm up. Put the pinkie side of your affected hand in your palm.
  2. Use the thumb and fingers of your good hand to grasp below the middle joint of your affected finger. This helps you hold that finger steady.
  3. Bend and then straighten the middle joint of your affected finger. For some types of problems, you may be asked to do each finger, one at a time.
  4. Repeat 8 to 12 times.

Isolated DIP-joint flexion

slide 6 of 6
slide 6 of 6, Isolated DIP-joint flexion,
  1. Grasp your affected finger with your other hand. Your thumb will be on the top side of your finger just below the joint that is closest to your fingernail.
  2. Slowly bend your affected finger only at the joint closest to your fingernail. For some types of problems, you may be asked to do this with each finger.
  3. Hold for about 6 seconds.
  4. Repeat 8 to 12 times.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.