Hand Therapy – Exercises Following Dupuytren’s Fasciectomy

What exercises should I do after my surgery?

You should only do exercises your Hand Therapist has advised. These will be progressed when you are ready.

Week 1 onwards

Exercise 1

Bend your fingers to your palm and then straighten.

Repetition: x5

Hold: 5 seconds

Complete: Every hour

Exercise 2

Whilst keeping your knuckles straight, bend your fingers to make a hook fist and then straighten your fingers back out again.

Repetition: x10

Hold: 10 seconds

Complete: Every 2 hours

Exercise 3

Bend your knuckles up and down, keeping your fingers straight.

Repetition: x10

Hold: 10 seconds

Complete: Every 2 hours

Exercise 4

Use your other hand to bend your operated finger, down to your palm.

Repetition: x3

Hold: 60 seconds

Complete: Every 2 hours

Exercise 5

Begin your exercise once your wound is healed.

Place your operated hand, palm down on the table. Use your other hand to apply pressure to the knuckles of your operated finger.

Repetition: x3

Hold: 60 seconds

Complete: Every 2 hours

Contact Details

Please contact the Hand Therapy Team if:

• You have any concerns or questions regarding your exercises

• If your splint is rubbing, uncomfortable or damaged.

Hand Therapy Team

Telephone: 01429 522471

Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You will be asked to attend either:

Hand Therapy

First Floor, North Wing

University Hospital of North Tees

Physiotherapy Outpatients Department

Ground Floor

University Hospital of Hartlepool

References

• Glassey, N., 2001. A study of the effect of night extension splintage on post-fasciectomy Dupuytren’s patients. The British Journal of Hand Therapy, 6(3), pp.89-94.

• Jerosch-Herold, C., Shepstone, L., Chojnowski, A.J., Larson, D., Barrett, E. and Vaughan, S.P., 2011. Night-time splinting after fasciectomy or dermo-fasciectomy for Dupuytren’s contracture: a pragmatic, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 12(1), p.1.

• Evans, R.B., Dell, P.C. and Fiolkowski, P., 2002. A clinical report of the effect of mechanical stress on functional results after fasciectomy for Dupuytren’s contracture. Journal of Hand Therapy, 15(4), pp.331-339.

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

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The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]