Dupuytren's Contracture
What is Dupuytren’s contracture?
Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition in which there is a thickening of the tissues in the palm and in the fingers and thumb. Read more about Dupuytren's contracture.
What is the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture?
The treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture depends upon the extent and severity of the problem. Very early disease in the form of either a nodule or a small cord which does not cause pain or affect hand function does not need to be treated. If the contracture is painful, there is a restriction of mobility or an inability to use the hand normally due to the contracture, these are considered indications for surgery.
There are three major surgical options to treat this condition:
- If the skin overlying the nodules and cords is not affected a procedure known as a simple fasciectomy suffices.
- If there is significant skin involvement with the disease, the diseased skin has to be excised and a procedure known as dermofasciectomy with a skin graft is required.
- If there is a severe contracture of one of the joints of the finger or a difficult recurrence, a two stage procedure which involves the use of a device called an external fixator in the first stage to straighten the finger followed by a dermofasciectomy with a skin graft is required.
Garrod's Pads
Garrod’s pads are small lumps that appear on the back of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the fingers. They are associated with Dupuytren’s contracture but can also occur from repetitive trauma and are sometimes known to occur in the hands of violinists.