What is a Dupuytren's Contracture?

Dupuytren's contracture is a fixed contracture of the hand where the fingers bend towards the palm and cannot be fully straightened. The ring finger and little finger are most commonly affected. The tissue under the skin on the palm of the hand thickens and shortens so the tendons connected to the fingers cannot move.

Causes:

• Hereditary

• It is associated with smoking and drinking

• It is associated with diabetes, thyroid problems and seizures

• This condition increases after age 40, with men more affected than women, until age 80 when the distribution is even

Signs and Symptoms:

• Minor painless lump in the palm of the hand

• Inability to fully extend the affected finger from the flex position

• The connective tissue becomes abnormally thick, causing the finger to curl up

• Ring finger and small finger are most commonly affected

Nonsurgical Treatment:

There is no cure to the problem, Dupuytren’s contracture is not a dangerous condition, and often no treatment is necessary.

Surgical Treatment:

If your inability to straighten your fingers significantly limits your hand function, you should visit an orthopaedic provider to discuss trigger release surgery. The provider may recommend this surgery to divide and remove the thickened bands to help restore finger motion.

Please note: this information is for informational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnosing an injury, and the information provided should not be used to replace medical treatment.