conditions

Dupuytren's Disease

Dupuytren's disease takes its name from Baron Guillaume Dupuytren, a celebrated French surgeon who first described the condition in 1831.

The condition is commonly found in northern European countries and countries with populations of northern European descent. There is a strong familial tendency to develop Dupuytren's disease, and some propose that the condition is a result of a single dominant gene. There is sometimes an association with other soft tissue diseases, trauma or surgery.

The first sign of the disease is often a 'lump' or nodule in the palm of the hand, commonly at the base of the ring or little finger. Another sign may be an indentation in the skin, known as a dermal pit, which occurs due to a contraction of the connective tissue fibres. Later, a longitudinal fibrous band, known as a cord, may form, extending from the palm into the finger(s). This cord can pull the finger joints into a flexed (bent) position. This process tends to be progressive, although it varies considerably between individuals. Hand function may become compromised as the fingers become more flexed.

Treatment of Dupuytren's disease involves surgical release of the contracture, which aims to regain maximum hand function, rather than cure the disease. Surgery may, therefore, be delayed until some deformity has developed or hand function has started to be compromised. As a general guide, a small palmar nodule rarely requires surgery but the hand that can no longer be placed flat on a table top does. A flexion deformity at the knuckle joint of the finger (MCP) is usually correctable with surgery. A deformity at the middle joint (PIP) is not always fully correctable, and can sometimes recur. Your hand surgeon will be able to discuss expected outcomes with you.

For further information about surgical correction of Dupuytren's disease follow this link:

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