Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) Practice Exam

How long should night extension splinting continue after Dupuytren's surgery?

1. 1-2 months

2. 3-6 months

3. 6-12 months

4. Indefinitely

The correct answer is: 3-6 months

After Dupuytren's surgery, continuing night extension splinting for a duration of 3-6 months is vital for several reasons. Dupuytren's contracture involves the thickening and shortening of the palmar fascia, which can lead to finger flexion deformities. Post-surgery, it is crucial to prevent recurrence of the contracture and to promote optimal healing of the tendons and soft tissue. During the initial recovery phase, which spans several weeks, the splint helps maintain the fingers in an extended position. Extending the fingers at night helps combat the natural inclination of the fingers to contract and promotes the elongation of the healing tissues. Continuing this practice for 3-6 months provides the necessary time for collagen remodeling and enhances the likelihood of maintaining the surgical gains. Extending the use of the splint beyond this period may still offer benefits, but the typical and clinically supported range is 3-6 months, where the splinting becomes less critical, yet continues to support the integrity of the surgical results. Prolonged splinting, as suggested in some options, may not be necessary and could lead to other issues like stiffness if adapted improperly.