Tendon Gliding (Finger Glides)
A sequence of finger positions that keeps the tendons sliding smoothly through the hand and wrist.
What it helps
Keeps the finger tendons sliding freely through their sheaths and the carpal tunnel — preventing stiffness and catching, and keeping the hand smooth and supple.
How to do it
- Start with fingers straight.
- Bend just the top two knuckles into a "hook," then straighten.
- Make a full fist, then straighten.
- Bend the big knuckles only into a "tabletop," then straighten.
- Make a "straight fist" (fingers curled but knuckles flat). Move slowly through each.
Tips
- Move smoothly through the whole sequence.
- Gentle and controlled — these keep the tendons gliding, not strengthening.
Commonly done as 2–3 sets of 5–10 of each, daily.
Where this appears in recovery
Tendon Gliding (Finger Glides) is part of 46 recovery programs, most often at the swelling & finger motion (weeks 0–2), wrist motion (weeks 2–6) and restoring motion (weeks 2–6) stages, among others. Each program shows how it fits alongside the other movements:
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These are general exercise guides, not a personal prescription. The repetitions and frequency shown are what's commonly used — your own surgeon or therapist may advise something different, and their guidance comes first.