Dupuytren’s Contracture disease can vary significantly by patient, and so the recovery from surgery will look different every time depending on the severity of the condition and the type of surgery performed.
Much of it will depend on your age, health and wellbeing coming into the operation. Playing an active role in your own recovery, following the home treatment plan as set out by your doctor and taking suitable precautions are all crucial elements for a successful pathway back to mobility and health.
Adhering to rehabilitation exercises after surgery is the best way to get the most optimal results from surgery, and this is a crucial part of the recovery process. Targeted hand therapy will help you regain the range of movement in your fingers, and prevent any stiffness setting in. Our rehabilitation team includes experienced physicians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists who will guide you each step of the way.
Please ask about any inpatient or outpatient, individual and group rehabilitation sessions that you can access through your hospit
Caring for your hand
When you leave hospital, your hand will be covered in a bulky dressing and a splint to protect the wound and ensure that the fingers stay straightened. This is an essential part of the surgery and will stay in place until your two week follow up appointment. It’s important to keep the dressing dry at all times, and a plastic bag can be used when bathing to protect the area and minimise the risk of infection.
Keeping your hand elevated as much as possible after surgery will help with any pain and swelling and promote the healing process. Pain, swelling and stiffness are all normal symptoms after surgery and will take some time to go away. Use ice packs and pain medication as directed by your doctor. In severe cases of Dupuytren’s disease, a splint may be required for up to 12 weeks in order to get the best results.
Rehabilitation exercises
Dupuytren’s Contracture surgery is an effective way to release the tight tissue and free up the finger joints, but this procedure alone is not enough to treat the disease. Hand therapy exercises are an important part of the process in order to increase the finger motion, improve strength and retore function to the hand. Once the bandage has been removed, specific exercises may begin.
Firstly, the rehabilitation will focus on massaging the hand and fingers to reduce swelling and prevent scar tissue forming. Targeted exercises will then focus on extending and strengthening the finger movement, aiding fist clenching and straightening out the finger digits working through any discomfort or pain where possible. Some patients may have to wear a splint at night for up to six months. This is to help the fingers stay straight and prevent scar tissue forming which increases the chance of further contracture. Your doctor will develop a program that is tailored to your specific condition, and the rehabilitation exercises will be extended appropriately. Always follow the guidelines as set out by your treating therapist.
What to avoid after Dupuytren’s Contracture Surgery
Recovery from Dupuytren’s Contracture surgery can take some time, and it does require commitment to get the full benefit of the procedure. Recovery guidelines will vary by surgery, but the guidance will generally include:
- Keep your hand elevated for the first weeks after surgery to help reduce any swelling – avoid having it hanging by your side for any length of time.
- Prevent stiffness and scar tissue forming by massaging your hand regularly and wiggling your fingers as soon as you can feel them after surgery.
- Commit to regular hand exercises as advised by your treating doctor and complete them 3-4 times across the day – this will get the most optimal results from your procedure.
- Don’t be put off by mild discomfort as you complete your exercises – this is a normal symptom and shows that you are extending the flexibility of the tissue to achieve the goal of surgery.
