The following case study is of a 73 year old female with severe Dupuytren’s Contracture of the MCP and PIP joint of the little finger of her left hand. She had no prior surgeries on the left hand. Before surgery, the MCP joint lacked 75º and the PIP joint lacked 80º. At the time of surgery a fasciectomy was performed and a Digit Widget was applied.

Two weeks following surgery, the sutures were removed and the extension torque was initiated. At this time, the PIP lacked 53º of extension. One week later, she lacked only 10º extension and had some swelling. She was instructed to remove the light weight bands more frequently and to work on active flexion exercises. The following week, she had nearly full active range of motion and only minimal swelling.

Ultimately, she wore the Digit Widget for six weeks, five of those weeks after she gained full extension. We feel that maintaining the Digit Widget on for several weeks after full extension is obtained assists in scar remodeling and reduction of contracture recurrence due to scar shortening.

Pre Operative

2 weeks of DW

7 wks post DW removal

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