Hands2ElbowSurgeon
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    • What is Hand Therapy? >
      • Yorkshire Clinic Department
      • Bradford Royal Infirmary Department
    • Simple Hand Exercises
    • Scar Management & Desensitisation Exercises

Scar Management & Desensitisation Exercises
The hand can often be very tender and sensitive after an operation or trauma.  

Unfortunately, this tenderness does not always go away by itself. It is important to begin to touch the scar to help it become more ‘normal’ and less sensitive.


It is normal for these exercises to be somewhat uncomfortable while doing them or shortly afterwards. If the exercises are too painful, try using less pressure. If that does not work, then give yourself a several hour break and try again.
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You can download advice about scars management here and how to desensitise your hand here

PERCUSSION (Tapping):
This exercise should be done as many times as possible during the day. It can take many thousands of taps to really change the tenderness in a sore area.
1. Tap lightly on the area of your hand that is tender. You can tap on the sensitive area with a fingertip of your other hand or with a light object such as a pencil.
2. Find the spot that is the most tender.
3. Begin to tap rapidly (2-3 times a second), lightly and continuously on the most tender area for 3minutes.
4. Take a minutes rest and begin again


FRICTION MASSAGE:
The goal of friction massage is to STRETCH the scar tissue beneath the skin.  Do this exercise without cream and then with cream in order to be able to stretch the skin well.
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1. Place a finger tip of your other hand against the central area of the scar.
2. Press firmly against the scar and without sliding, gently but steadily push the skin to one side as if you were trying to slide the skin off of the bone. Hold this position for 5 seconds.
3. Briefly relax and then repeat this manoeuvre in another direction. Make sure you attempt to slide the skin in all directions.

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  • Home
  • About me
    • Patient Feedback
  • Hospitals
    • The Yorkshire Clinic
    • Bradford Royal Infirmary
    • Contact Details
  • Conditions Treated
    • Hand Conditions
    • Wrist Conditions
  • Patient Information
    • Outpatients
    • On being listed for surgery >
      • Risks and Complications
    • Day of Admission >
      • Anaesthetists
      • Local Anaesthetics
      • Block and General Anaesthetic
    • What happens post-operatively? >
      • Post-op Advice and Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Therapy
    • What is Hand Therapy? >
      • Yorkshire Clinic Department
      • Bradford Royal Infirmary Department
    • Simple Hand Exercises
    • Scar Management & Desensitisation Exercises