Traumatic contractures of the small joints in the hand can develop after either injury or surgery. Once the limiting scar tissue is mature (usually after 3 months from the last event) no amount of therapy will be able increase motion. All contractures must be considered to potentially involve the joints as well as the flexor and extensor tendons.
Specific measurements will be made of both the passive (someone else moves the joint by pushing on it) and active (joint is moved by its own tendons) motion of each involved joint. Tests will be done to evaluate the function of the relevant tendons.
CONSISTS OF Outpatient therapy Surgically excising scar tissue from around joints and tendons
FEATURES Stretching exercises and splints Outpatient surgery, patient actively participates in evaluation at time of surgery