[The importance of rehabilitation after operative treatment of Dupuytren's disease].

Postoperative hand therapy in patients after surgery for Dupuytren's contracture is common in medical practice. Through an effective splinting and exercise program, the surgical outcome can be enhanced. The treatment plan must take into account the wide range of reactions to surgery. The management plan must be flexible, more than in most areas of hand surgery. The most important points in hand therapy after surgery for Dupuytren's disease include: 1) early detection of potential postoperative complications--including disturbances in wound healing; 2) edema control; 3) scar management; 4) maintenance of surgical correction; 5) restoration of finger flexion to the degree of preoperative range of motion. The postoperative program of hand rehabilitation depends on type of surgery, and therapist's education. The hand therapist should see all patients initially on removal of the operative dressing and provide advice on a program of active mobilization. Thereafter, patients should be seen routinely at weekly intervals to ensure that recovery of motion is progressing.