Start with larger objects and

progress to smaller, fiddly objects

as your sensation improves.

Eg. Larger objects

peg, key, scissors Oxford Upper Limb Unit
Eg. Smaller objects
• Washers
•
•
Coins
Buttons
Hand
• Paperclips Physiotherapy
• Safety pins
• Screws Department
• Cotton bud
• Nuts/bolts

2. Discrimination between
different textures
Touch and brush the affected
Sensory
area with different textures:-
e.g. C o n t a c t D e t a i l s Re-education
• Sponge
Hand Therapy
• Cotton wool Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
• Rubber Windmill Road
Headington
• Sandpaper Oxford
• Velvet etc. OX3 7LD

Phone: 01865 738074

3. Pick out and identify 10 Fax: 01865 738043
small objects (as above) from www.noc.nhs.uk

a bag of dry rice/beans/

sawdust/sand. Noc2563\Jean\Booklets\ Patient information
sheet Sensory Re-education July 07
4. Use your hand as normally as Version 1 Physiotherapy
possible / try similar tasks to © F. Fraser 23.4.04

those done at work.

© 2007 Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
Contact us on:
01865 738074
Patient information sheet
Sensory Re-education
Following nerve repair, the
transmission of nerve impulses to
the brain is altered. This may mean
that your ability to identify what you
touch is altered.
Protective Sensation – Until nerve
recovery progresses, lack of
normal sensation makes the hand
vulnerable to damage. It is
therefore important to:-
• Observe the skin for damage
caused by excessive force
(redness, swelling, warmth).
• If blisters occur, cover and
keep clean to avoid infection,
since healing tends to take
longer than skin with intact
nerve supply.
• Keep skin soft and hydrated by
massaging with lotion/hand
cream.
• Avoid exposure to heat/cold/
sharp objects.
• Be conscious of not applying
more force than necessary
when gripping a tool/object.
• Burns may be
prevented by:
• wearing padded
gloves whilst
cooking.
• using long-
handled cooking
utensils.
• use of insulated
mugs for hot
drinks.
Once recovery starts, the
following exercises may help
your sensation to improve , or
help you to compensate for
the loss in sensation. These
exercises are best done in a
quiet environment for short
sessions ( 5 minutes) 3 x daily.
EARLY EXERCISES
(Immediately)
These exercises are to teach
the nerves to tell the difference
between movement versus
constant touch, sharp versus
dull, also location of
stimulation.
• Using a blunt surface
(fingertip/pencil eraser),
ask a friend / Partner to
press on the affected
area until you feel a
stimulus.
• Whilst watching – Keep
pressure still or move it.
Feel the difference.
• Then shut eyes and
concentrate on what is
felt, is it still, or moving?
Open eyes to confirm
what is happening.
• If incorrect – repeat
process.
LATE STAGE EXERCISES
(as sensation improves)
These exercises teach the
nerves to tell the difference
between different textures and
objects.
1. Discrimination of objects
Similar to previous exercise,
but this exercise can be done
without assistance.
• First touch and feel
different objects whilst
watching.
• Then close eyes and
repeat.
• Open eyes to confirm
correct object is
recognised.