A surgical procedure to release contracted tissues in Dupuytren's contracture to restore hand function.
Through an incision in the palm, the thickened cords of tissue causing the finger to bend are carefully removed, protecting the nerves and blood vessels that run close by. The procedure typically takes one to two hours, depending on how many fingers are involved, and is usually day surgery.
Assessment includes examination of the degree of contracture and which fingers are affected, which helps plan the surgery. Standard preoperative steps apply: fasting, medication review, and arranging transport home.
A bulky dressing or splint is worn initially to protect the wound and support the finger in an extended position. Hand therapy begins early to manage swelling and encourage movement, with full recovery generally taking several months as swelling settles and hand use returns to normal.
Early therapy focuses on wound care, swelling management and gentle movement of the fingers. A night splint holding the finger straight is often used for a period afterward to help maintain the correction, alongside daytime exercises to regain full hand function.
Risks include infection, and, given the close proximity of nerves and blood vessels to the diseased tissue, a small risk of nerve injury causing numbness. Stiffness, wound healing problems, and a chance of the contracture recurring over subsequent years are also recognised.
The aim is to straighten the affected finger and improve hand function. Most patients achieve a good improvement in finger extension, though very longstanding or severe contractures may not fully straighten, and the underlying tissue condition can recur years later.
Fasciectomy releases the thickened, contracted tissue of Dupuytren's contracture, aiming to straighten the affected finger and restore hand function. Most patients experience a good improvement in finger position, though the underlying condition can recur over time regardless of treatment.
