Dupuytrens Contracture

Dupuytren’s contracture is a hand deformity that usually develops slowly, over years. Dupuytren’s contracture affects a layer of tissue that lies under the skin of your palm known as the palmar fascia. This is a gristle like layer that is present in everyone’s hands. It connects with the skin, bones and tendons. Knots of tissue form within this layer under the skin. As these knots gradually grow bigger they can thicken and form into cords that can pull one or more of your fingers into a bent position.

Once this occurs, the fingers affected by Dupuytren’s contracture can’t be straightened completely, which can complicate everyday activities such as placing your hands in your pockets, putting on gloves or shaking hands.

Dupuytren’s contracture most commonly affects the ring finger and little finger but can occur in any finger. A number of treatments are available to slow the progression of Dupuytren’s contracture and relieve symptoms.

Progression

Dupuytren’s contracture is a progressive disease, meaning that it gradually gets worse with time. Typically it progresses slowly over many years. Occasionally it can develop over weeks or months. In some people it progresses steadily, and in others it may start and stop.

Dupuytren’s contracture usually begins as a thickening of the skin on the palm of your hand. As Dupuytren’s contracture progresses, the skin on the palm of your hand may appear puckered or dimpled. A firm lump of tissue may form on your palm. This lump may be sensitive to the touch and is occasionally painful.

In later stages of Dupuytren’s contracture, cords of tissue form under the skin on your palm and may extend up to your fingers. As these cords tighten, your fingers may be pulled toward your palm, sometimes severely, preventing them from straightening.

The ring finger and little finger are most commonly affected, though the middle finger also may be involved. Only rarely are the thumb and index finger affected. Dupuytren’s contracture can occur in both hands, though one hand is usually affected more severely than the other.

What Causes Dupuytren’s Contracture

The exact cause of Dupuytren’s disease is unknown. A number of factors are believed to increase your risk of the disease, including:

• Dupuytren’s contracture occurs most commonly after the age of 50.
• Your sex. Men are more likely to develop Dupuytren’s and to have more severe contractures than are women.
• People of Northern European descent are at higher risk of the disease.
• Family history. Dupuytren’s contracture often runs in families.
• Tobacco and alcohol use. Smoking is associated with an increased risk of Dupuytren’s contracture, perhaps because of microscopic changes within blood vessels caused by smoking. Alcohol intake also is associated with Dupuytren’s.
• People with diabetes are reported to have an increased risk of Dupuytren’s contracture.

Investigations

In most cases investigations are not necessary. Dupuytren’s disease can be diagnosed simply by looking at and feeling your hands. Other tests are rarely necessary.

Treatments and drugs

If the disease progresses slowly, causes no pain and has little impact on your ability to use your hands for everyday tasks, you may not need treatment. Instead, you may choose to wait and see if your Dupuytren’s contracture progresses.

Treatment involves removing or breaking apart the cords that are pulling your fingers in toward your palm. This can be done in several different ways. The choice of procedure depends on the severity of your particular symptoms and any other health problems you may have.

The diseased cords of tissue in Dupuytren’s contracture connect with the skin as well as with the deeper structures. Because of this it is not possible to completely remove all of the affected tissue and therefore all treatments for Dupuytren’s carry a risk of recurrence of the disease and your doctor will discuss this with you regarding the treatment most suitable for you. The following are procedures available to treat Dupuytren’s contracture.

Needle Fasciotomy

This technique uses a needle, inserted through your skin, to puncture and “break” the cord of tissue that’s contracting a finger. Contractures often recur but the procedure can be repeated. The main advantages of the needling technique are that there is no incision, it can be done on several fingers at the same time, and usually very little physical therapy is needed afterward. The main disadvantage is that it cannot be used in some locations in the finger, because it could damage a nerve or tendon.