86 (164)

5.9.1.

Therapy for the opponens digiti minimi.

Starting Position: P: Supine or sitting; elbow flexed approximately 90°; forearm fully pronated with wrist fully dorsally flexed; fingers flexed. T: Standing, left side against P.

Grip: T’s right hand grips P’s hypothenar eminence, thumb over volar side of P’s 5th metacarpal, tip at the hamate of the carpus. Ts left hand grips radial side of P’s hand, with fingers stabilizing the 4th metacarpal bonę at the dorsal side. T’s left thumb may support P’s triquetral and hamate bones from the distal/palmar aspect.

Procedurę: Using this grip, T applies traction and gradually and fully reposes (extends and abducts) at the CMC joint of P’s little finger.

Stimulation of Antagonists: T retains grip. T then asks P to move further in the direction of stretching, and resists that movement to stimulate P’s antagonists.

Notę: The opponens digiti minimi may be maximally stretched with P’s elbow extended, forearm fully supinated, and wrist fully dorsally and radially flexed. However, this technique is morę difficult to perform.

Fig. 64 b. Finał Position.

88