What should you know about hand therapy putty exercises?

Putty gives the fingers and thumb a deformable resistance for squeezing, pinching, spreading, and isolated finger work. These patterns can help practise grip control for daily tasks, but they are not suitable at every stage of healing. After a Distal Radius Fracture, loading may need to wait until the wrist and surrounding tissues are ready. De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Hand Osteoarthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis may also need a gentler approach or a different exercise focus.

A therapist chooses the putty firmness, hand position, repetitions, and rest periods. Technique matters: a bent wrist, forceful thumb pinch, or repeated work through swelling can place extra load on irritated tissues.

Warm the hand with easy open-and-close movements, then use the prescribed putty firmness on a stable surface. Keep the wrist neutral, move slowly, and relax the fingers between efforts. Begin with the pattern your therapist taught, such as a gentle full-hand squeeze or fingertip pinch, and stop before fatigue changes the shape of the movement. Store putty away from fabric and heat, and inspect the skin after practice. Hand Therapy can help progress resistance when the hand tolerates the current level.

Pause putty work if pain becomes sharp, swelling persists after practice, a finger catches or locks, or numbness and tingling appear. Arrange a review for worsening stiffness or declining grip. Seek urgent care for a new deformity, severe pain after injury, a cold or discoloured finger, spreading redness, fever, or an open wound.

Ask when resistance is safe, which putty firmness to use, how many rest breaks you need, and which pinch patterns to avoid. Ask how to progress toward opening jars, carrying objects, or other tasks that matter to you.