Dupuytren's Disease: Home Treatment

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Home Treatment

Home treatment for Dupuytren's disease focuses on keeping or restoring hand mobility. You may be able to keep your hand function with regular stretching of the involved fingers. Try twice-daily sessions of massaging the hand and then gently stretching the fingers back to relieve tightness and help keep your fingers flexible.

If surgery becomes necessary, home rehabilitation after the procedure may help prevent complications and recurrences of the disease. You may try elevation of the hand and arm to prevent swelling, wearing a splint to prevent recurrence of contracture, and exercises to maintain or regain hand movement.

Splints are used after surgery for about 8 to 10 weeks to help restore hand function and prevent symptoms of Dupuytren's disease from recurring. Splints support the palm and help straighten the finger(s) during the healing process. In some cases, splints are worn only at night, but in others they are worn at all times, except when the wound needs cleaning or during finger exercises. Your health professional will help you learn how and when to wear the splint during recovery.

After surgery, you can help your scar heal successfully, as guided by your health professional. Scar management may include therapeutic hand massages by a rehabilitation specialist; massaging your hand at home, usually 2 to 3 times a day, following your hand therapist's instructions; and using a splint that keeps pressure against your palm and fingers.¹

Last updated:	March 31, 2008
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, David Pichora, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC