Hand Therapy – Exercises following Dupuytren’s Fasciectomy

What exercises should I do after my surgery?

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

Week 1 onwards

Your splint should be worn at night

Exercise 1

Bend your fingers to your palm and then straighten.
Repetition: x 5.
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: x 10.
Hold: 10 seconds.
Complete: Every 2 hours.

Exercise 3

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

Repetition: x 10.
Hold: 10 seconds.
Complete: Every 2 hours

Exercise 4

Use your other hand to bend your operatedfinger, down to your palm.

Repetition: x 3.
Hold:  60 seconds.
Complete: Every 2 hours.

Exercise 5

Begin this 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: x 3.
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 – Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm

You will be asked to attend either:

Hand Therapy

1st 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

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Email: [email protected]

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Telephone: 01642 617617

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Telephone: 01642 383551

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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]