What changes when Maitland Joint Mobilization meets the wrist & hand? Start with the patient's movement, assess safely, and see what the re-test reveals.
2 specific variationsClinical re-test built in
Specific variations
How this technique is applied in the wrist & hand
Each variation below is written so you can follow patient setup, contact, direction, dose and the re-test that decides whether the technique earned a place in the plan.
01
Wrist & HandProximal carpal row on radius
Radiocarpal Dorsal Glide for Wrist Flexion
One question matters more than the name of this variation: will the patient notice a useful change in Wrist flexion and grip/task tolerance.? The careful re-test gets the final word.
The change we are looking for
Improve wrist flexion when dorsal carpal glide is restricted.
Primary target
Proximal carpal row on radius
The movement that tells us
Wrist flexion and grip/task tolerance.
Patient focus
Improve wrist flexion when dorsal carpal glide is restricted.
Therapist verifies
Wrist flexion and grip/task tolerance.
Success signal
Keep the technique only if the re-test shows a meaningful improvement in wrist flexion and grip/task tolerance. without symptom worsening.
Full clinical application
1
Position the patient
Sitting with forearm supported and wrist just off the table.
2
Set the contact
Stabilize the distal radius/ulna and grasp the proximal carpal row broadly.
3
Apply the technique
Glide the carpals dorsally while the forearm remains stable.
Keep the force at the radiocarpal joint rather than pulling the whole hand.
Safety / avoid
Avoid acute carpal instability or fracture.
02
Wrist & HandProximal carpal row on radius
Radiocarpal Volar Glide for Wrist Extension
One question matters more than the name of this variation: will the patient notice a useful change in Wrist extension and weight-bearing through the hand.? The careful re-test gets the final word.
The change we are looking for
Improve wrist extension when volar carpal glide is clinically relevant.
Primary target
Proximal carpal row on radius
The movement that tells us
Wrist extension and weight-bearing through the hand.
Patient focus
Improve wrist extension when volar carpal glide is clinically relevant.
Therapist verifies
Wrist extension and weight-bearing through the hand.
Success signal
Keep the technique only if the re-test shows a meaningful improvement in wrist extension and weight-bearing through the hand. without symptom worsening.
Full clinical application
1
Position the patient
Sitting with forearm supported and wrist accessible.
2
Set the contact
Stabilize distal radius/ulna and contact the proximal carpal row.
3
Apply the technique
Glide the carpal row volarly relative to the radius.
4
Dose & re-test
20–40 seconds × 2–4 bouts. Re-test: Wrist extension and weight-bearing through the hand.
Clinical pearl
Re-test a meaningful task such as push-up position or getting up from a chair if that was the original limitation.
Safety / avoid
Respect ligament injury and postoperative precautions.
A technically correct technique is not automatically a useful technique. Keep it only when the patient's pain, range or function improves in a clinically meaningful way, then transfer that gain into active movement, loading or self-management.
