Dupuytren's Disease

Other Treatment

Physical therapy is a necessary step in recovery after surgery on the hand. The goal of physical therapy to maintain your range of motion. It includes exercises to stretch the involved fingers and the use of different grips or handles on equipment.

Traction or other extension techniques that lengthen and flatten the tissues of the hand may be used in advanced cases of contracture in connection with surgery.³

A promising nonsurgical form of treatment called enzymatic percutaneous fasciotomy is still under study. In this procedure, a substance (collagenase diluted in calcium chloride) is injected directly into the Dupuytren's cord in order to improve flexibility, mobility, and strength. This study is entering its final phase, and results will be available in the future.^{1, 7}

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Author:	Ralph Poore	Last Updated: April 3, 2006
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine David Pichora, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery
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