Preoperative Serial Casting, Education, and Therapy for Dupuytren's Contracture

Launched by BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY · Jun 9, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at whether a special therapy done before surgery can help people recover better after an operation for Dupuytren’s contracture—a condition where one or more fingers are permanently bent due to thickened tissue in the palm. The therapy includes wearing casts, stretching, and massage, and it will be given before the surgery to see if it improves finger movement and strength afterward. The study is small and aims to find out who would be good candidates for a larger study in the future, which results matter most to patients, and how many people complete the therapy and follow-up visits.

People who might take part are adults aged 18 or older who have a finger bent at least 30 degrees at the middle joint and are already scheduled for surgery to correct Dupuytren’s contracture. Participants must be able to attend all study visits and speak English to complete questionnaires. The study will take place at Dorset County Hospital, and it will also include conversations with patients and healthcare staff to understand how practical and acceptable this therapy is. Overall, the goal is to see if this pre-surgery therapy could become a helpful part of treatment in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Male or female participants aged 18 years or older.
• • One or more fingers with a Dupuytren's flexion contracture greater than 30° at the PIP joint.
• • Awaiting fasciectomy surgery for Dupuytren's contracture.
• • Willing and able to provide informed consent for participation in the study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Individuals awaiting needle fasciotomy, dermofasciectomy, or segmental fasciectomy.
• • A history of previous treatment for Dupuytren's contracture (e.g., surgery, collagenase injection, or needle fasciectomy) to the study reference digit.
• • A history of any other pre-existing hand disorder causing significant movement restriction, pain, or affecting hand function (e.g., post-traumatic stiffness, arthritis, infection).
• • Non-English speaking participants due to the need for completing multiple questionnaires that have not been validated in multiple languages.
• • Inability to attend follow-up appointments within the required timeframes.