Hand Rehabilitation — Splinting, Tendon Recovery, Nerve Recovery, and Functional Return

This episode reviews the core principles of hand rehabilitation, focusing on postoperative assessment, splinting, tendon protocols, nerve recovery, and return-to-function decision-making.Topics include objective measurement of recovery using volumetric displacement, the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, two-point discrimination, the 10 Test, grip dynamometry, pinch testing, and methods for identifying submaximal effort such as the bell-shaped curve and rapid exchange test.Splinting principles are reviewed through the intrinsic-plus safe position, the 20/70 rule, collateral ligament biomechanics, static and dynamic splints, figure-of-eight splints, ulnar gutter splints, sugar-tong splints, and the core principle that ligaments must heal at functional length to prevent stiffness.Tendon rehabilitation is discussed through flexor tendon early controlled motion, the 3–5 mm excursion rule, work of flexion, synergistic motion, Kleinert, Duran, and Manchester protocols, as well as extensor tendon protocols for mallet finger, boutonniere deformity, short arc motion, and ICAM/yoke splinting.Nerve rehabilitation includes postoperative care after nerve decompression, repair, and transfer, with discussion of radial nerve “drop,” ulnar nerve “claw,” median nerve “ape hand,” cortical remapping, mirror visual feedback, desensitization, Gate Control Theory, and return-to-work thresholds based on grip strength. Part of Dr. Lara’s Plastic Surgery Compendium — a high-yield audio reference for plastic surgery trainees and surgeons.DisclaimerThis podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is designed for medical students, residents, fellows, and practicing healthcare professionals. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for any individual patient. The content presented reflects general surgical principles and should not be used as a substitute for formal medical training, clinical judgment, or consultation with qualified healthcare professionals. Listening to this podcast does not establish a physician–patient relationship.SEO / Topic Keywordshand rehabilitation, hand therapy, intrinsic plus position, safe position hand, 20/70 rule, tendon rehabilitation, flexor tendon rehab, extensor tendon rehab, early controlled motion, Kleinert protocol, Duran protocol, Manchester short splint, synergistic motion, work of flexion, 3 to 5 mm tendon excursion, ICAM protocol, yoke splint, mallet finger splinting, boutonniere deformity splinting, Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, two-point discrimination, 10 Test, McGill Pain Questionnaire, grip dynamometer, rapid exchange test, nerve rehabilitation, mirror visual feedback, Gate Control Theory, ulnar claw, radial nerve palsy, median nerve palsy, burn hand splinting