Dupuytren's Contracture Treatment

Dupuytren’s contracture is a disorder of the skin and underlying tissue on the palm side of the hand. Thick, scar-like tissue forms under the skin of the palm and may extend into the fingers, pulling them toward the palm and restricting motion. The condition usually develops in mid-life and has no known cause (though it has a tendency to run in families).

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Disclaimer: there is no guarantee of specific results and the results can vary.

Some risk factors of Dupuytren’s contracture are:

Older males are at higher risk
Those with a family history of the disease have a higher risk
Those of Northern European or Scandinavian origin
Diabetics
Those who smoke or consume alcohol

Some symptoms of Dupuytren’s contracture to watch out for are:

Pulled forward fingers
Tiny, tender nodules in the palm
Inability to put your hand flat on the table
Thick tissue bands under the skin of the palms
Grooves or pits in the skin of the palms

Initially, people may not feel any disruption to their normal activities as the index finger and thumb work properly. However, with the progression of the condition, it becomes increasingly difficult to open your hand completely or grasp objects properly.

DUPUYTREN’S CONTRACTURE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OPTIONS

The condition can be diagnosed by a doctor with just the look and feel of your palms and by performing the tabletop test where you will be required to keep your hands flat on the table. The doctor may also examine your hands to check for tough bands of tissue or if there is any puckering on the skin.

Surgery is the only treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture. The surgeon will cut and separate the bands of thickened tissue, freeing the tendons and allowing better finger movement. The operation must be done very precisely, since the nerves that supply the hand and fingers are often tightly bound up in the abnormal tissue. In some cases, skin grafts are also needed to replace tightened and puckered skin.

PREPARING FOR SURGERY

Surgery is the most effective treatment option for Dupuytren’s contracture, but it will require you to spend months in physiotherapy to get back movement in your hands. The recovery period is long for those opting to get a surgery done but considering it has the best outcome, it is a chance patients are usually willing to take.

You will be taken through every detail of the surgery at your consultation and be prepared on what you can do to make the process easier for you. You will have to stop taking medications like aspirin, herbal supplements, and ibuprofen so that you don’t increase the risk of complications from surgery. You should also stop smoking and drinking alcohol if you want the results from your surgery to last.

The results of the surgery will depend on the severity of the condition. You can usually expect significant improvement in function, particularly after physical therapy (see Recovery and rehabilitation.), and a thin, fairly inconspicuous scar.

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