Fiona,

I broke my scaphiod, a wrist bone, last year which is why I have Dupuytren's now. The scaphoid is the bone below the thumb and my thumb was even enclosed in the cast. I can certainly testify to the importance of having an opposable thumb. The doctor said getting my thumb back in working order was going to be the hardest part and he was right. My hand therapist had me doing the stretching over to my little finger like you mention, but in addition, pulling back also. There is hand putty that I held in my hand, stuck my thumb in and then stretched the putty back. Also, she had me squeezing a spring clothes pin with my thumb and each of my other fingers.

Fiona another thing you could ask your DR about is gell squares, they have mineral oil in them look like a clear bandaid but thicker you put them on the scar area at night the scar absorbes the oil it help to prevent the scar from becoming hard. I'll ask what it's called for you monday and post hopefully someone else will already know what i'm talking about. Sorry about spelling never was much for writing .
Terry