Jack Riewoldt’s recovery from off-season surgery hasn’t gone to plan with a broken titanium plate into his hand putting the star forward back in hospital.

The key Richmond forward had finger and ankle procedures when the Tigers’ 2016 AFL campaign ended in September.

“I had my right little finger fused and then unfortunately I snapped the titanium plate, the back of it, three weeks in,” Riewoldt told RSN radio.

“(I) had to go back in on a Monday night and have it done again.”

He previously said his ankle would limit him to a later-than-usual start to pre-season training.

But with his ankle progressing well, his finger was now his biggest hindrance to getting in a solid pre-season.

“It’s the thing that’s held me back and been the biggest pain in my bum over this break,” he said.

“I don’t mind playing golf and unfortunately I haven’t been able to grab hold of the sticks over the break.”

The 28-year-old has carried the finger “defect” for around 10 years but it the issue became more apparent towards the end of this year when it affected his ball drop.

But he said it was progressing well since the operation.

“I’ve sneakily held the footy a few times with it now and I’m really comfortable where it’s at,” he said.