54 patients with proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint flexion contractures of at least 30 degrees were randomized to receive a three month splinting protocol and hand therapy or hand therapy alone following surgical correction. At 1 year, flexion contracture was reduced in both the splint group and the control group, but the difference between the two groups was not significant. The groups also did not differ for the global perceived effect, pain, comfort and complications. Combining a splinting protocol with hand therapy before surgery was therefore no more effective than hand therapy alone for the treatment of PIP joint flexion contractures.