Tendon Gliding for Flexor Injuries
Tendon gliding exercises are a cornerstone of occupational therapy (OT) rehabilitation for clients recovering from flexor tendon injuries. These exercises restore mobility, reduce adhesions, and promote functional hand use by moving tendons smoothly through their sheaths after surgical repair or trauma.
Importance of Tendon Gliding
Flexor tendons are highly prone to scarring and adhesion formation following injury or surgery. Without proper rehabilitation, clients may experience stiffness, contractures, or limited hand function. Tendon gliding exercises minimise scar adherence while maintaining strength and flexibility in the hand.
Standard Tendon Gliding Sequence
- Straight Hand
- Fingers fully extended.
- Promotes tendon alignment and reduces stiffness.
- Hook Fist (Claw Position)
- Fingers flexed at proximal and distal interphalangeal joints while metacarpophalangeal joints remain extended.
- Stretches and mobilises flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus tendons.
- Full Fist
- All finger joints flexed to touch the palm.
- Enhances tendon excursion and grip strength.
- Tabletop (Intrinsic Plus)
- Metacarpophalangeal joints flexed to 90 degrees while interphalangeal joints remain extended.
- Promotes differential tendon glide and joint isolation.
- Straight Fist
- Metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints flexed while distal interphalangeal joints remain extended.
- Targets flexor digitorum superficialis tendon specifically.
Clinical Application and Protocols
- Exercises are typically introduced under close OT supervision within days to weeks post-surgery, depending on surgical protocols and tendon integrity.
- Frequency often includes 5–10 repetitions of each exercise, performed several times daily.
- Progression is carefully monitored to avoid tendon rupture while maximising mobility gains.
- Splinting is commonly used in conjunction to protect healing tendons while allowing controlled movement.
Benefits of Tendon Gliding
- Improves tendon excursion and reduces adhesions.
- Enhances grip strength and fine motor control.
- Prevents joint stiffness and maintains range of motion.
- Supports functional recovery for daily tasks like grasping, pinching, and writing.
Role of AI in Rehabilitation
AI-enabled rehabilitation platforms can:
- Provide visual guides and reminders for correct exercise performance.
- Track range of motion and repetition accuracy with wearable sensors.
- Generate compliance-ready reports for surgeons, insurers, or NDIS providers.
- Adjust exercise difficulty based on real-time progress and healing stage.
Compliance and Privacy
Because tendon rehabilitation involves sensitive health data, digital documentation must comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). AI systems ensure encrypted storage, secure sharing, and audit-ready records for clinical and funding purposes.
Conclusion
Tendon gliding exercises are essential for restoring hand function following flexor tendon injuries. In Australia, OTs implement structured exercise sequences, splinting, and functional retraining to reduce adhesions and improve independence. Therefore, integrating AI tools enhances monitoring, compliance, and client engagement, supporting safe and effective rehabilitation.