Description

Dupuytren's contracture is a condition that causes one or more fingers to bend towards the palm of the hand. The affected fingers can't straighten completely.

Knots of tissue form under the skin. That, finally, creating a thick cord that can pull of the finger in a bent position. The condition gradually worsens with time.

Dupuytren's contracture most often affects the two fingers farthest from the thumb. This can complicate everyday activities such as placing your hands in your pockets, putting on gloves or shaking hands.

There is No cure for Dupuytren's contracture. Treatments can relieve the symptoms and slow down how quickly the condition worsens.

Symptoms

Dupuytren's contracture worsens slowly over years. The condition begins with a firm lump in the palm of your hand. This lump may be painful or painless.

Over time, the tumor can spread to a hard disk the cable under the skin and even on the finger. This cable tightens and pulls out the finger towards the palm of the hand, sometimes severely.

Dupuytren's contracture most commonly affects the two fingers farthest from the thumb. The condition often occurs in both hands.

Causes

The cause of Dupuytren's contracture is unknown. The disease tends to occur in families. It is more common in men than in women.

Risk factors

Risk factors for Dupuytren's contracture include:

  • Age. Dupuytren's contracture occurs more frequently after the age of 50.
  • Sex. Men are much more likely to develop Dupuytren women. In men, the symptoms can worsen and progress more quickly.
  • Ancestry. The people of Northern European descent are at higher risk of the disease.
  • The history of the family. Dupuytren's contracture often runs in families.
  • Of the occupation. Some studies show a relationship between Dupuytren's contracture and workers who use vibrating tools.
  • Diabetes. People with diabetes have a higher risk of Dupuytren's contracture.
  • Use of tobacco and alcohol. Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol increase the risk of Dupuytren's contracture.

Diagnosis

In most cases, Dupuytren's contracture can be diagnosed by the appearance and the feel of the hands. Other tests are rarely necessary.

The health care providers to compare hands with one another and check for wrinkles in the skin of the palms of the hands. Also the press in the parts of the hands and fingers to check for hard knots or bands of tissue.

Another test for Dupuytren's contracture involves placing the palm of the hand flat on a table or other flat surface. You are not able to flatten your fingers means that you might need treatment.

Treatment

If the disease progresses slowly, it does not cause pain and has little impact on your ability to use your hands for everyday tasks, you may not need treatment. Instead, you can expect to see if the Dupuytren's contracture progresses. You will be able to follow the progression with a table of test, what you can do for your mind.

The treatment consists of removing or separating the cables are pulling the fingers into the palm of your hand. This can be done in several ways. The choice of the procedure depends on the severity of your symptoms and other health problems that you may have.

Needles

This technique uses a needle inserted through anesthetize the skin, to puncture and break the cord of tissue that the hiring of a finger. Contractures usually reappear, but the procedure can be repeated.

The puncture technique has several advantages. There are No large cuts to heal. Can be done in several fingers at the same time. Can be done in the office, in place of the operating room. A disadvantage is that it can't be used in some places in your finger, because it could damage a nerve or tendon.

Injections

  • Steroids. In the early stages of the disease, steroid injections into the hard lump can help to soften and smooth. These injections can also help to relieve the pain of the nodules.
  • The collagenase. The injection of a special enzyme called collagenase, in the hard pieces and the cables can soften and weaken. In a second appointment within the next week, her hand moves in a way to break the strings and straightening the finger. This can reduce or even eliminate the contracture during several years.

Surgery

People with severe symptoms, surgery may be needed to remove the tissue that the flexion of the fingers. The surgery usually results in a more complete and long lasting of the release, that is provided by the needle or the enzyme methods. But the recovery takes longer.

In some serious cases, surgeons remove all of the tissue prone to be affected by Dupuytren's contracture, including the attached skin. In these cases, a skin graft is needed to cover the open wound. This surgery is the most invasive option and has the most recovery time.

Any treatment of Dupuytren's contracture can provide a temporary relief. The contraction of the fingers of the hands often becomes with the time.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you have mild contracture of Dupuytren, you can protect your hands by:

  • To avoid a strong mastery of the tools of construction of the handles with the pipe insulation or a cushion of the tape.
  • The use of gloves with heavy padding for strong grasping tasks.

Preparing for your appointment

Your health care provider may send you to see a bone surgeon. This is often called a referral to an orthopedic surgeon.

What you can do

Before your appointment, you might want to write a list that answers the following questions:

  • Do you have a family history of this problem?
  • What treatments have you tried? Do they help?
  • What medications and supplements that you take regularly?

What to expect from your doctor

You can ask:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • Have been getting worse?
  • Is your hand hurt?
  • How does the condition interfere with your day-to-day tasks?
Symptoms and treatment of Dupuytren's contracture