<human>: Hi I fractured my 4th metacarpal 4 weeks ago and had the cast removed yesterday. I am in Thailand so personalised physiotherapy from the hospital is not on the agenda. What exercises can I do to strengthen the finger and reduce the swelling? I can just about curve my middle and ring fingers but cant currently raise my ring (fractured) finger. Thanks
<bot>: Hi, You can start with hot packs to whole your palm. Here is a list of exercises that you can do. All exercises need to be started gradually and should be pain free:# Squeeze a small soft ball in your palm# Try to hold a 250ml bottle# While stabilizing other fingers try to bend your ring finger as much as possible# Hold a paper in between your ring and middle finger tightly as much as possible and try to pull the paper out# Face your palm downside and try to lift the finger(you need to stabilise other fingers)# Put your palm upside on a table, stabilise your fingers with other hand, flex the wrist. So similar thing with palm downside, massaging on palm and reverse side will help in removing adhesions. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. 