Overview

To help you recover from your injury or surgery on your hand, your hand therapist explains what activities you can and cannot do. They give you activities to do based on if they are classed as light, medium or heavy activities.

Your therapist might recommend that you start by using your hand for light activities. As you recover and your injury heals, you can gradually increase your amount of activity.

It is important to follow your hand therapist’s advice.

Light activities

Examples of light activities include:

• washing or shaving
• putting on light clothes
• fastening zips or buttons
• using knives, forks and spoons
• combing your hair
• putting on your socks
• tying your shoe laces
• reading a newspaper or book
• using your phone
• writing
• typing
• turning on light switches

Medium activities

Examples of medium activities include:

• sweeping up
• unscrewing jars or tins
• hanging out washing
• washing up
• opening a ring pull on a can of drink or food
• holding a pint glass of liquid or a cup of tea
• using scissors
• using a bread knife
• opening and closing a door
• using a key to open a door

Heavy activities

Examples of heavy activities include:

• gardening
• carrying shopping
• ironing
• lifting saucepans and kettles
• making a bed
• vacuuming
• lifting children or heavy objects
• cleaning a car
• decorating
• sport, such as golf, swimming, going to the gym, cycling, running or football