DUPUYTRENS FASCIECTOMY

· You have had an operation to help straighten your fingers/s.  Your plaster will have been removed and it is now important that you start exercising your fingers again.

· A splint will have been made for you to wear at night for the next 6 months.  This is to stop your fingers from bending down overnight.

· Keep your hand up as much as possible to help stop your hand swelling.

Exercises:    Do these every hour

· To warm your hand up, make a full fist and then straighten your fingers 20 times.

· If your wound has healed, spend 10 minutes massaging your scar with some hand cream (your Physio will show you how)

· Stretch your fingers backwards as far as they will go.  Then using your other hand stretch them a little further (this may be uncomfortable, but should not hurt too much).  Hold this for 3 minutes. Repeat.

· Bend and straighten your fingers again 20 times to loosen them up.

· Make a fist with your hand.  Now using your other hand take your fingers down a little further (again this may be a little uncomfortable, but this should ease within 1 minute).  Hold this position for 3 minutes.  Repeat.

DO….

· Do your exercises regularly
· Keep your hand up for the first few weeks as much as possible
· Continue to wear you splint at night for 6 months
· Contact your Physiotherapist if you are concerned about your hand

DO NOT……

· Do not force your fingers too far.  This will just aggravate your fingers and make them swollen