Needle Aponeurotomy (Dupuytren) Starter Exercise Guide

1. Finger & Hand Stretch

What it helps: Eases stiffness in the finger joints and palm — keeping the hand supple and the fingers moving freely for grip and pinch.

How often: 2–3 sets of Hold 10–15 sec, daily.

1. Gently straighten the fingers back with the other hand until you feel a mild stretch in the palm and fingers.
2. Spread the fingers wide and hold.
3. Gently bend each finger and hold a moment.

Tip: Gentle, mild stretches — never force a stiff or sore joint.

2. Finger Range of Motion

What it helps: Keeps the finger joints moving through their full range — preserving the bend and straighten you need to grip, pinch, and use your hands for everything.

How often: 2–3 sets of 10, daily (several times).

1. Open the hand wide, fingers straight.
2. Make a full fist, then open again.
3. Bend each finger one at a time toward the palm, then straighten.

Tip: Smooth, comfortable motion through the whole range.

3. Hand & Wrist Elevation and Swelling Control

What it helps: Controls the swelling that is the main cause of stiffness after hand and wrist surgery. A swollen hand cannot make a full fist, and fingers left stiff in the first weeks are much harder to free later than the wrist itself is.

How often: every hour while awake sets of 10 slow fists, daily.

1. Rest the hand higher than your heart. Sitting, prop it on pillows or on the back of a sofa; standing, rest it on the opposite shoulder; lying down, support the whole forearm on cushions.
2. With the hand up, slowly make a loose fist and open it fully, spreading the fingers.
3. Repeat the slow fist-and-open several times, then let the hand rest in the raised position.
4. Come back to it regularly through the day rather than doing one long session.

Tip: Above the heart is the part that matters. A hand resting on your lap or in a sling at waist height is not elevated, and this is the commonest reason swelling does not settle.

4. Thumb Range of Motion

What it helps: Keeps the thumb's wide range — reaching, pinching, and opposing to the fingers — which is behind nearly every grip and pinch task the hand does.

How often: 2–3 sets of 8–10 each, daily.

1. Move the thumb out away from the palm, then back.
2. Touch the thumb tip to each fingertip in turn (opposition).
3. Make gentle circles with the thumb. Keep it comfortable.

Tip: Smooth, pain-free motion.

5. Wrist Range of Motion

What it helps: Keeps the wrist moving through its full range — preserving the bend, straighten, and side-to-side motion you use for everyday hand tasks.

How often: 2–3 sets of 10 each, daily.

1. Rest the forearm on a table, hand off the edge. Bend the wrist up, then down, through comfortable range.
2. Then move the hand side to side (toward the thumb, then the little finger).
3. Finally make slow circles. Keep the forearm still.

Tip: Smooth, comfortable motion — don't force the ends.

6. Walking Program

What it helps: Comfortable, frequent walking keeps the joints loose, builds your stamina, and rebuilds confidence on your feet. Little and often beats long and tiring.

How often: throughout the day.

1. Take short walks at a comfortable pace.
2. Increase your distance gradually as you feel able.

Tip: Use your assistive device as directed.

7. Tendon Gliding (Finger Glides)

What it helps: Keeps the finger tendons sliding freely through their sheaths and the carpal tunnel — preventing stiffness and catching, and keeping the hand smooth and supple.

How often: 2–3 sets of 5–10 of each, daily.

1. Start with fingers straight.
2. Bend just the top two knuckles into a "hook," then straighten.
3. Make a full fist, then straighten.
4. Bend the big knuckles only into a "tabletop," then straighten.
5. Make a "straight fist" (fingers curled but knuckles flat). Move slowly through each.

Tip: Move smoothly through the whole sequence.

8. Blocking Exercises (Isolated Joint Motion)

What it helps: Forces a tendon to glide rather than letting the finger move as a single unit, which is how stiffness at one joint gets missed. It is the most reliable way to recover movement at a specific joint after a tendon repair or a finger injury.

How often: 2–3 sets of 10 per joint, daily.

1. Rest the injured hand palm-up on a table.
2. With the other hand, hold the finger firmly just below the joint you want to move, keeping the joints closer to the palm completely still.
3. Now bend and straighten only the free joint beyond where you are holding, slowly and through as much range as it will go.
4. Move the holding hand to the next joint along and repeat.

Tip: The point is isolation. If the whole finger is curling as a unit, move your holding hand closer to the joint you are working.

Recovery reading

• Carpal Tunnel Surgery Recovery
• Trigger Finger Surgery Recovery
• Wrist Fracture (Distal Radius) Recovery
• Hand Therapy & Swelling After Surgery
• All Hand & Wrist recovery guides