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Did you know... Dupuytren's Disease most commonly affects the ring finger and pinky finger, and occurs most often in older men of Northern European descent.
Causes
Dupuytren's Disease is a hand deformity that usually develops slowly. The disease affects the connective tissue under the skin ofthe palm. Knots of tissue form under the skin form a thick cord that can pull one or more fingers into a bent position. Once this occurs, the fingers affected by Dupuytren's contracture can't be straightened.
Doctors do not know what causes Dupuytren's Disease; however, some researchers have speculated that it may be associated with an autoimmune reaction.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Thickening of the skin on the palm of the hand
- Puckered or dimpled skin on the palm of the hand
- Firm lump of tissue on the palm of the hand, which may be sensitive to the touch
- Cords of tissue forming under the skin of the palm, sometimes extending up to the fingers
Treatments
Dupuytren's Disease often progresses slowly. If the patient does not suffer pain, immediate treatment may not be needed. Instead, the patient may choose to wait and see if the disease progresses.
If it does progress, treatment usually involves removing or breaking apart the cords that are pulling the fingers in toward the palm. This can be done through needling, a technique where a needle is inserted through the skin to puncture and break the cord. Enzyme injects may also help soften and weaken the taut cord in the palm. Finally, surgery is another option.
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