Key takeaways

  • Gentle stretching exercises can help maintain flexibility and hand function in the early stages of Dupuytren’s contracture, though they typically don’t stop the condition from progressing.
  • After surgical treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture, hand exercises are an important part of recovery and may help reduce the risk of the contracture returning.
  • Effective exercises include palm stretches, finger spreads, grip strengthening, finger lifts, and tendon glides, but all movements should be done gently without forcing the fingers or causing pain.

Dupuytren’s disease causes the fascia, a layer of tissue beneath the skin of the palm, to thicken and shorten.

This can lead to Dupuytren’s contracture, a condition where the fingers gradually curl toward the palm. As the fascia thickens, it can form firm cords and small lumps (called nodules) that can limit movement and flexibility.

Dupuytren’s often progresses slowly. In the early stages, gentle stretching may help maintain hand flexibility and function. After surgery for Dupuytren’s contracture, hand exercises are often part of the recovery process.

Stretches should not cause pain. If an exercise feels uncomfortable, stop and rest. You can try easing the stretch or talk with a hand specialist about safe ways to adjust your routine.

The palm stretch helps counteract the tightening of the hand tissues by gently moving them in the opposite direction.

  1. Place your hand on a table, palm down.
  2. Keep your fingers straight and relaxed against the surface.
  3. Slowly lift your palm by raising your wrist, leaving your fingers in contact with the table.
  4. Lower your palm back down.
  5. Repeat several times, as comfortable.

This exercise also stretches the joint between the hands and fingers.

The finger spread exercise engages all fingers on the hand. You can do this stretch on each hand, one hand at a time.

  1. Place your hand, palm down, on a table.
  2. Stabilize your arm by gently placing the opposite hand on top of your wrist.
  3. Slowly spread your fingers apart as far as is comfortable.
  4. Hold the stretch for about 5 seconds.
  5. Bring your fingers back together.
  6. Repeat several times on each hand.

Try doing this exercise about five times on each hand per session, or as recommended by your care team.

Dupuytren’s contracture can reduce grip strength, but grip exercises may not directly improve symptoms.

The thick cords that form with Dupuytren’s develop within the palmar fascia. Over time, these cords can tighten and pull one or more fingers into a bent position. This happens because of tissue changes, not because your grip strength is weak.

Some research shows that grip strength may improve after certain procedures. For example, a 2026 study of 53 people found a significant increase in grip strength two months after needle aponeurotomy, a minimally invasive treatment that breaks up cords in the palm.

Ask a physiotherapist or hand specialist whether grip exercises might be right for you. A common exercise, also used for arthritis, involves the following steps:

  1. Place a small, soft exercise ball in your palm.
  2. Gently squeeze the ball.
  3. Hold for about 5 seconds.
  4. Release and relax your hand.

If you have joint pain, swelling, or an arthritis flare-up, check with your doctor before doing this exercise.

The finger lift exercise helps improve flexibility by moving the fingers away from the palm one at a time. If you can’t lay your hand flat because of Dupuytren’s contracture, do the movement as comfortably as you can.

  1. Lay one hand flat on a table with your fingers straight.
  2. Slowly lift your thumb off the table and hold for about 2 seconds.
  3. Lower your thumb back down.
  4. Repeat with each finger.

You can do this exercise on both hands, repeating five times per hand.

A finger lift is one type of finger extension exercise. Another type focuses on flexing the row of knuckles closest to the palm.

  1. Make a “hook fist” by bending at the knuckles closest to the fingertips.
  2. Place your hand palm down on a table.
  3. Gently lift your fingernails off the table while keeping your palm flat.
  4. Lower your fingers and repeat.

Another variation is called the “tabletop” exercise. For this one, you’ll need a pen or pencil.

  1. Make a loose fist.
  2. Place the pen or pencil across your fingers, between the knuckles.
  3. Slowly uncurl your fingers and straighten them while keeping the pen or pencil balanced.
  4. Hold the position for about 5 seconds.
  5. Relax your hand and repeat.

The tabletop stretch can be challenging if you have Dupuytren’s contracture. Try to move only as far as feels comfortable and avoid forcing your fingers straight.

A tendon glide exercise includes a series of five movements designed to help maintain finger mobility and reduce stiffness. These exercises are often used after hand surgery or injury.

After Dupuytren’s surgery, tendon glide exercises may help reduce swelling and prevent tendon adhesion, a condition in which the tendons attach to surrounding tissues, making the fingers stiff.

To perform a tendon glide exercise:

  1. Hold your hand up with your fingers straight.
  2. Bend the knuckles nearest the palm while keeping the fingers straight, forming a right angle (about 90 degrees) at the wrist. This is the “tabletop” position.
  3. Straighten your fingers again. Then bend only the fingers at the set of knuckles nearest to the fingertips, with fingertips touching the top of the palm. This is called a “hook fist.”
  4. Next, bend the knuckles so the fingers lie flat against the palm. This is called a “flat fist.”
  5. Finally, curl the fingertips into the palm to create a full fist.

Talk with your hand specialist or therapist about how often to repeat this sequence and when it’s safe to begin after surgery, as recommendations vary depending on your recovery plan.

Some rehabilitation plans suggest performing these exercises 10 times, holding each position for 10 seconds, after a 1 to 2 week rest period following Dupuytren’s contracture surgery.

You might do hand exercises when Dupuytren’s contracture is mild to help maintain flexibility and hand movement. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), exercises usually don’t stop the condition from progressing, but they’re generally considered safe.

A hand surgeon or specialist may also recommend exercises after a fasciectomy or other Dupuytren’s surgery. Postoperative exercises can help improve recovery and may reduce the chance of the contracture returning.

One 2019 study followed a post-fasciectomy program combining 24-weeks of splinting and 8 weeks of hand exercises. Of the 30 participants, only two experienced a recurrence of Dupuytren’s contracture within an average follow-up period of nearly 5 years.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), many people can live for years with Dupuytren’s disease without bothersome symptoms. However, the condition can become more difficult to treat as it progresses.

The AAOS recommends seeing a hand specialist as soon as you notice or suspect signs of Dupuytren’s contracture. A specialist can assess the severity of your symptoms and discuss treatment options, including nonsurgical approaches that may help slow or manage the condition.

Hand exercises for Dupuytren’s contracture can safely help maintain flexibility and mobility, especially in the early stages of the condition. Doing the exercises regularly may support better long-term hand function.

Working with a hand specialist can help you track your progress and create a treatment plan that fits your needs.