Post-operative Dupuytren’s (Palmar Fasciectomy)

Advice & Exercises

Following your operation, your hand will be in a bandage and will feel stiff and swollen. It is important to keep your hand elevated to control the swelling; this is especially during the night.  You can elevate your hand on a pillow for periods during the day.

Physiotherapy

You will not routinely be offered post-op physiotherapy unless the surgeon recommends. If you are struggling with moving or using your hand after surgery, then please get in touch with us on the telephone number at the end of this leaflet.

Exercises

After surgery, it is important to exercise your hand to improve the movement and prevent stiffness. You can bend and straighten the fingers and wrist within the constraints of the dressing applied in theatre. Move your elbow and shoulder regularly after the operation.

Within the week after surgery, the dressings will be changed and the bandage reduced, ensure you are aiming to bend and straighten your fingers within the constraints of this dressing.

Once the sutures are removed at 12-14 days following surgery, you will be able to move your fingers more, the aim is to bend your fingers to your palm and make a fist. Straighten your fingers as able.

Tendon gliding exercises

Start these exercises as soon as you can, once both the dressing and stitches have been removed. You may find this exercise difficult initially, but it will become easier once you can move your finger(s) more.  Repeat sequence 4-6 x per day, 5-10 repetitions each.

Finger & Thumb Exercises

Continue to try to make a full fist with your affected hand.  If you are unable to do this, push the fingers of your affected hand into a fist using your unaffected hand. Ensure all 3 joints of the fingers are bending. Hold position for 5-10 seconds. Repeat 5-10 times.  

Once the stitches have been removed and the wound is healing. With your other hand gently try to straighten the operated finger(s). Care must be taken not to force this. Do not overstretch into pain. Hold position for 5-10 seconds. Repeat 5-10 times.  

Oppose your thumb to each of your fingers. Repeat 5-10 times.

thumb to each of your fingers. Repeat 5-10 times.

Scar Massage

Once the stitches have been removed and the wound has fully healed, you can start massaging the scar. This will help to soften and flatten the scar. Apply a firm pressure around and across the line of the scar. You can use non-perfumed moisturising cream such as E45, aqueous or Vaseline.

Night splint

You will not routinely be given night splints unless the surgeon recommends. Studies suggest these do not improve the correction achieved for the majority of patients. If you are provided with a night splint, these are normally worn between 4-6 months after the surgery.

Telephone

Any problems please get in touch with the physiotherapy department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 0191 445 2320

If you have an appointment with TIMS physiotherapy. For your first appointment ring the booking team on 0191 445 2643 or for a query about a review appointment ring 0191 213 8800