what are the physical therapy exercises for a left thumb phalanx injury?

Answer 1

Talk to your physical therapist and / or certified hand therapist first. Typically, you would need to work on your grip and opposition (touch the tip of the thumb to the tip of the other fingers). You could use putty for resistance. Range of motion will also be important. Passively stretch the thumb in the 4 different directions it moves (flexion/extension/adduction/abduction). Wrist stretching and strengthening and tendon glides may also be necessary.

Remember to talk with your PT / OT / MD first! I do not know your diagnosis, and these are just general exercises I may or may not give a patient with a thumb injury.

Answer 2

Many times the exercise itself does not help an injury "heal." What it does do is to re-educate the muscles or restore flexibility to the body that has occurred as a result of the injury. These exercises are also related to a functional limitation the patient has (such as being able to reach overhead). Everything a physical therapist does must be justified by fucntional, objective outcomes. The act of "healing" primairly occurs by the body's natural process...PT helps guide the body in the right direction. Some exercises do relate directly to the healing process such as the McKenzie approach for those with a disc problem. The exercises are designed to help the disc return to a more neurtal position. Sometimes, unfortunately, the course of the injury is beyond what can be managed conservatively; and in this case the exercises would not be effective in helping the patient regain their function. One such example would be a complete ruputure of the rotator cuff tendon. So no, not ALL exercises help a patient's injury "heal."

Answer 3

who cares