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Articles
Dupuytren’s Disease
Dupuytren’s Disease
is a condition of the hand that causes the fingers, most commonly seen
in the ring and middle fingers, to “draw” into the palm.
Usually observed are nodules and thick chords in the palm of the hand
that cause the fingers to contract and become stiff.
The condition was named after a French Physician, Baron Guillaume Dupuytren
who found that the condition was not a tendon problem however caused
by a hypertrophy or thickening of fascia or connective tissue in the
hand.
Dupuytren’s disease is most commonly seen in men and typically
has a more severe presentation when compared to findings in female patients.
It tends to run in families and is seen commonly in people from Northern
European backgrounds. Dupuytren’s disease can be caused by other
conditions such as, diabetes, trigger fingers, alcoholism, epilepsy,
and can occur in other parts of the body such as the feet.
When Dupuytren’s disease causes problems with the ability to use
the hand, such as getting ones hand in and out of a pocket, or holding
onto change, many people are forced to seek out medical help. Usually
non-operative techniques have been unsuccessful such as hand therapy;
splinting, stretching, steroid injections, exercise etc. and the thickened
fascia or connective tissue must be removed surgically.
Surgery usually consists of excising of the diseased fascia and surgical
approaches and techniques will vary depending upon the severity of the
condition and the surgeon. Some patients will require post-operative
rehabilitation that may consist of hand splinting, stretching, range
of motion exercises and wound and scar tissue management. With aggressive
management post -operatively by a CHT and your Physician most patients
are pleased with their outcomes and improved hand function.