About the exercises

The exercises will maintain the muscular function and mobility when you have an injured arm in a cast.

When you get home

Use the sling correctly

Your hand should be elevated above your elbow when wearing the sling. Use the sling on the first day, except at night. If your entire arm is in a cast, use the sling if you are in pain.

Do not wear jewellery on the injured hand

Avoid wearing rings on the hand with cast on as your fingers may swell.

Use your arm while it is in a cast

Move your arm and fingers as much as possible every day, even while wearing a cast. This will help you maintain mobility and avoid swelling. Use your arm as you normally would when dressing, cleaning and eating. Do not lift heavy objects, for example grocery bags, for six to eight weeks.

Exercises

Begin rehabilitation immediately

Start doing the exercises while you are wearing the cast. These exercises will help you regain mobility faster. We will introduce you to the exercises.

Complete the exercises as often as possible and repeat each exercise 5-10 times. If you begin to feel pain while doing the exercises, take a 30-minute break and then continue doing the exercises. Remove your sling when you are doing the exercises.

Exercise 1

• Stretch your fingers. 
• Slowly make a fist by first bending the joints closest to the fingertip, then the middle joints and finally the joints at the base of your fingers.
• Release the fist and stretch out your fingers.

Exercise 2

• Make a fist. You can hold a small ball, if needed.
• Stretch and spread your fingers.

Exercise 3

Lie down, sit, or stand up.

• Bring your fingers together and then spread them as much as possible.
• Bend and stretch your thumb.

Exercise 4

• Hold your fingers together and then spread them as far as possible.

Exercise 5

• Touch your thumb to the base of your little finger. Arch your thumb away from your palm as far as is possible. 
• Return your thumb its original position.

Exercise 6

• Spread your fingers as far as possible.
• Touch your thumb to the tip of each of your other fingers by turn. Make a large “O” with each touch. Stretch your fingers between each “O”.

Exercise 7

• Lift both shoulders towards your ears and hold the position for five seconds.
• Lower your shoulders and relax.

You can see a video of the exercises on https://regionh.dk/9mi or hold your smartphone camera over this QR code:

Worth knowing

We will assess whether you need to be examined for osteoporosis (brittle bones)

If the fracture could be due to osteoporosis, you should contact your general practitioner for an examination. Osteoporosis is easy to treat, and treatment will reduce the risk of more fractures.