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Putty exercises

Putty can be used to improve movement and strength of the hand, wrist and forearm.

It can be moved into various shapes to complete exercises which will be tailored to you by your therapist.

The putty must be used as shown. Please only do the exercises marked.

The putty is available in a range of colour-coded strengths which your therapists will explain to you. You will start with softer putty and work up to a stronger one, guided by your therapist.

Advice and precautions

  • Wash your hands before and after using the putty to keep it clean and maintain its strength
  • Place the putty on a clean smooth surface when using
  • When the putty is stretched too much, it can break down into small pieces.
  • The putty can stick to carpets, fabrics, hair and clothing, and stain them. To remove fine bits of putty from the surface you are using, dab the area with a large blob of putty.
  • If the putty becomes too warm or sticky, place the putty in its tub and put in the fridge
  • Keep the putty in its tub when not in use.

Do not leave it near young children or pets. This putty should never be eaten, so please monitor your child as they use the putty.


Exercises

Please spend minutes doing the exercises marked below times a day.

If you have any questions, please contact your therapist: on 0114 271 7227.

  Gross finger flexion

 Gross finger and wrist extension

 Finger and thumb abduction

 Pyramids

 Intrinsic stretch

 Pancakes

 Thumb and finger adduction

 Thumb flexion and extension

 Thumb individual pinch

 Thumb lateral pinch

 Thumb 3 fingered pinch

 Thumb manipulation

 Wrist extension

 Wrist flexion

 Wrist flexion and extension twist

 Forearm pronation and supination


Gross finger flexion

Squeeze the putty in one hand into a ball, manipulate the ball with your fingers and keep squeezing and rotating to maintain the shape.

Illustration of hand squeezing putting into their palm

Gross finger and wrist extension

Roll putty into a sausage back and forth. Keep fingers and wrist straight. Once completed pinch along the sausage with each finger and thumb.

Illustration of hand rolling sausage of putty back and forth

Finger and thumb abduction

Make a ring of putty and fasten the ends to form a doughnut. Place the thumb and fingers in the hole and stretch fingers and thumb against the putty as wide as possible.

Illustration of hand pulling apart ring of putty

Pyramids

Bending the fingers at the big knuckle joints but keeping the rest of the fingers straight squeeze the putty into a cone shape.

Illustration of hand forming putty pyramid

Intrinsic stretch

Place hand on the table with the palm facing put. Put a roll of putty at the base of the fingers curl the fingertips into the putty without moving the big knuckles.

Illustration of hand laid on table with putty in gripped palm

Pancakes

Place the putty on the table. Place fingers and thumb curled into putty then try and uncurl fingers and thumb pushing putty away.

Illustration of hand rolling out putty into a pancake

Thumb and finger adduction

Place a piece of putty between 2 fingers or thumb and index finger and squeeze.

Illustration of hand with putty between 2 fingers

Thumb flexion and extension

Shape the putty into a cylinder and grip the putty. Press the thumb deep into the putty and then lift it out slowly.

Illustration of hand with thumb tucked under fingers, inside putty

Thumb individual pinch

Place a piece of putty between the thumb and index finger and squeeze.

Illustration of hand pinching putty

Thumb lateral pinch

Place a piece of putty between the side of the index finger and the thumb.

Illustration of hand pinching putty on the side of their finger

Thumb 3 fingered pinch

Place a roll of putty between the thumb and the index and middle fingers, and push the thumb towards the fingers.

Illustration of hand with putty ball pinched between thumb and 2 fingers

Thumb manipulation

Break a small piece of putty off and then roll between the thumb, index and middle finger to make small ‘peas’. Try making different sizes, try picking up the pieces after.

Illustration of hand pinching off little bits off puttyIllustration of hand picking up lots of little pieces of putty

Wrist extension

Place forearm and elbow of the hand you wish to exercise on the table. Let the wrist relax over the edge of the table with the palm facing the floor. Hold the putty in the other hand beneath the table. Reach down for the putty and grab some of the putty. Pull up using the wrist.  Make sure your arm stays resting on the table and that you do not pull down with the other hand.

Illustration of hand resting on table holding putty and the other hand pulling putty

Wrist flexion

Place the forearm and elbow of the hand you wish to exercise on the table with the wrist over the edge and the palm facing up. Hold the putty in the other hand beneath the table. Reach down for the putty and grab between your fingers. Pull up on the putty keeping the forearm on the table.

Illustration of hand resting on table holding putty and the other hand pulling putty

Wrist flexion and extension twist

Roll the putty into a sausage shape. Hold the putty in both hands. Twist the putty forwards and backwards (like wringing out a cloth) with both hands, with one hand moving forward whilst the other hand moves backwards.

Illustration of person holding putty in two hands and twisting with one hand

Forearm pronation and supination

Place putty in both hands facing palm down. Pull putty apart and turn hands to face upwards.

Illustration of person holding putty in 2 hands and them pulling it apart from each other

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Disclaimer

Please note: this is a generic information sheet relating to care at Sheffield Children’s NHS FT. These details may not reflect treatment at other hospitals. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professionals’ instructions. If this resource relates to medicines, please read it alongside the medicine manufacturer’s patient information leaflet. If this information has been translated into another language from English, efforts have been made to maintain accuracy, but there may still be some translation errors. If you are unsure about any of the guidance in this resource or have specific questions about how it relates to your child, always ask your healthcare professional for further advice.

Resource number: RHM25

Resource Type: Article

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NHS

Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TH

United Kingdom

Switchboard: 0114 271 7000

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