Rehabilitation of the wrist and hand generally progresses from reducing nerve or tendon irritation toward restoring strength and fine motor control needed for daily and occupational tasks.
Because so many daily activities rely on the hands, activity modification rather than complete rest is typically emphasized throughout this progression.
Load across phases
Phases
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1
Irritation management
0–2 weeksSplinting, activity modification, and gentle nerve or tendon gliding aim to reduce irritation without full immobilization.
Load 15%
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2
Mobility and light activation
2–4 weeksGentle stretching and light strengthening begin to restore comfortable movement and initial tendon or muscle activation.
Load 35%
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3
Progressive strengthening
4–8 weeksGrip, pinch, and wrist strengthening progressively increase to rebuild the capacity needed for repetitive tasks.
Load 60%
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4
Return to occupational or sport activity
8–12+ weeksTask-specific practice and higher-repetition activities are reintroduced before an unrestricted return to demanding hand use.
Load 90%
Post-surgical recovery, such as after carpal tunnel release, typically follows a somewhat different and more protected early phase before rejoining a similar strengthening progression.
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