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Tendon Gliding Sequence

Draftmobility75%beginner⬤ moderate evidence
View FHIR resourceFHIR R4 ActivityDefinition — the interoperable form of this exercise

Positions & Range of Motion

Start
seated with the wrist quiet and neutral, fingers extended straight
End
cycled through four finger shapes in order (straight → hook fist → straight fist → tabletop), holding each ~3 s
Range of Motion
full active finger flexion/extension through four differential-glide positions with the wrist held still

How to Perform

Sequential finger positions: straight → hook fist → straight fist → tabletop. Standard post-carpal-tunnel-release mobility protocol.

Watch on YouTube↗

Opens a YouTube search for “Tendon Gliding Sequence”

Starting position: seated

Coaching Cues

  1. 1

    Quiet wrist — tendons slide through each finger shape

    (verbal)
  2. 2

    Cycle the hand through four precise positions in order

    (verbal)
  3. 3

    Hold each shape for three seconds before changing

    (verbal)
  4. 4

    Each shape is a snapshot — clean and complete

    (visual)

Evidence-Based Dosing & EMG Data

Recommended Dosing

10 reps of the full sequence, 3–4×/day (Peters 2016 Cochrane — widely used post-CTR).

EMG Activation Data

No isolated-lumbrical EMG validation.

Muscles Involved (5)

Primary Movers

Flexor Digitorum Superficialis— Straight-fist phase
Flexor Digitorum Profundus— Hook and straight-fist phases

Secondary Movers

Lumbricals (Hand)— Tabletop phase
Extensor Digitorum

Synergists & Assistors

Dorsal Interossei (Hand)Synergist

Easier Variations ↓

1

Passive-Assisted Gliding

Therapist assists each position.

Harder Variations ↑

1

Resisted Tabletop

Add resistance in the tabletop phase.

Target Movements (2)

Finger Flexion (MCP)Metacarpophalangeal Joints
Finger Extension (MCP)Metacarpophalangeal Joints

Why This Exercise Matters

Everyday activities this exercise helps you do — essential means it directly trains the capacity the task needs:

Gripping a CupOpening a JarTyping

Goals This Helps With

Rehab, performance, prevention, and mobility goals this exercise supports — essential means it's a cornerstone:

Carpal Tunnel / Wrist Nerve Symptomsrehab