Weight bearing on hands after surgery

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Hi everyone! So in February I had surgery on my thumb/wrist. Had a basal joint arthroplasty, which is where they basically remove a bone from your wrist and put in a suture to keep thumb from floating off somewhere. I'm healing OK, but they tell me it could be a full year before I'm 100%. And then I'll probably do the other hand. In the past year I've started practicing Kuk Sool Won, which is a Korean martial art. Part of the falling techniques involve putting full weight on hands - such as cat rolls and cartwheels. I cannot do these. I have stiffness and weakness in my right wrist still. OT Larry tells me to just take is slowly so as not to cause pain - he says I can't damage the joint. Even before surgery I'd not been able to do the cartwheels. I thought it was like riding a bike, and you just could always do them, but apparently somewhere between 12 and 50 I lost this skill. Was curious if anyone has suggestions on how best to increase strength and flexibility in my wrist, and also how do you all track things like martial arts? I can't decide if it's cardio or strength. Here's me at my yellow belt test.u1u9ejbd2crq.jpg

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  • astod4
    astod4 Posts: 49 Member
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    OTs are specialists, especially when it comes to the hand and wrist. I would go to him with any questions regarding because he’s been trained to deal with your rehabilitation.
  • KimShea01
    KimShea01 Posts: 23 Member
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    I've definitely asked my OT, and it helps that he's also 50 and does martial arts himself. Just curious about possibly any specific strengthening exercises.
  • astod4
    astod4 Posts: 49 Member
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    You could get some play-doh and squeeze it and manipulate it with your hand. Place finger tips in the middle and push them out. Basically you’re just trying to give them some resistance. You may also try filling a bucket with rice and work your fingers down into the bottom of the bucket and do hand exercises in that. It’s really tough but works great for strengthening your wrist and finger flexors and extensors
  • wi1234567890
    wi1234567890 Posts: 57 Member
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    My kid had a hand injury when he was little. Part of his recovery was to use very tiny things. Had to write with a tiny pencil, pick up very tiny things and put them in a tiny bowl etc… good luck with your recovery.