Dupuytren’s contracture: Treatment, symptoms, advice and help

About dupuytren’s contracture

Dupuytren’s contracture is a gradually progressive disorder of the palms of the hands wherein the tissue covering the muscles and tendons of palms, gets scarred and contracted. This results in bending of the fingers which in later stages, may lead to permanent deformity.

Dupuytren’s contracture: Incidence, age and sex

Dupuytren’s contracture is commonly seen in general population. Its incidence increases with increasing age and is more frequently seen in individuals over the age of 40 years. It affects men more frequently as compared with women.

Signs and symptoms of dupuytren’s contracture: Diagnosis

Dupuytren’s contracture most commonly affects the ring and the little finger. However it may afflict any finger. One or both hands may be involved. The individual may notice puckering of skin of palms and experience difficulty in extending the affected fingers. It may start as a painless nodule in palm which progresses to a thick band which restricts the movements of hands and fingers. Sometimes the palmer creases may become dark. In later stages, the affected individual may not be able to grasp objects and extend the flexed fingers. The specialist will be able to diagnose the deformity in hand, by a detailed physical examination.

Causes and prevention of dupuytren’s syndrome

The cause of dupuytren’s contracture is not quite clear. It is inherited in most of the conditions. Occasionally, certain factors like alcoholism, diabetes and epilepsy may also lead to dupuytren’s contracture.

Dupuytren’s syndrome: Complications

Dupuytren’s contracture may result in deformity in longstanding cases. The affected fingers may remain flexed and may not be able to get extended. The individual may experience loss of function in the affected hand.

Dupuytren’s syndrome: Treatment

The treatment of dupuytren’s contracture includes stretching exercises of hand and heat application to the hand. Usually, the condition is painless in most of the cases. However in occasional instances, the nodules in the palm may become painful. Injecting steroids into such nodules may help relieve the pain and inflammation. Surgical intervention may be needed in some cases to release the tissue and relieve the patient of contracture. Normal movements are restored after surgery but the condition has a moderate chance of recurrence.