Skip to main content
Movement library
MobilityFingersPhases 1, 2, 3, 4

Finger spreads

Finger abduction / adduction

Maintains web-space length and intrinsic muscle balance.

Best for

  • Web-space mobility
  • Interossei activation

Default dose

15 reps • 2×/day

Avoid when

  • Joint pain at rest

Measurement targets

  • Web space angle (degrees)

Setup

  • Hand flat on a table or held in the air.

Steps

  1. 1Spread fingers apart.
  2. 2Bring them together.

Cues

  • Move slowly and evenly across all fingers.

Common mistakes

  • Only spreading the index and pinky.

Stop rules

  • Sharp pain (≥ 4/10)
  • Increasing swelling during or after
  • New or worsening numbness or tingling
  • Color change in fingers (pale, blue, red)
  • Wound opens, drains, or feels hot
  • Next morning is worse than the day before

Progressions

  • Add a light rubber band around the fingers.

Regressions

  • Smaller spread range.
Continue your rehab

What to do next — not a dead end

Suggestions use body region, goal, motion type, and allowed phases — not your medical record. After surgery or a flare, follow your clinician first.

Estimated time

~2–5 min as a focused practice block

15 reps · 2×/day

Equipment

None required — table or bodyweight only.

Rehab stage

Phases 1, 2, 3, 4

Generally lower load — still respect pain and swelling.

When to stop

Sharp pain (≥ 4/10)

Increasing swelling during or after

Full stop rules ↑

Avoid if this sounds like you

Joint pain at rest

Reread best-for context ↑

Keep momentum without overdoing it

Log a short check-in to protect your streak — even one quality set counts.

Scaling in plain language: Easier — Smaller spread range. · Harder — Add a light rubber band around the fingers.Full cues ↑