What is Dupuytren’s contracture?
Dupuytren’s contracture, also known as Viking’s disease, affects the palmar fascia (a cord of fibrous tissue) in your palm and fingers. The condition causes the fascia to thicken and shorten. Knots of scar-like tissue tissue form under your skin over time, pulling your fingers towards your palm, leading to Dupuytren’s contracture.
Dupuytren’s contracture generally affects your ring and little finger, but you can have it in both hands.
It can take months or years for your condition to become severe enough to require treatment. We do not recommend treatment if your condition is in its early stages.
No one can cure Dupuytren’s contracture, but surgery can relieve your symptoms.
Dupuytren’s contracture symptoms
Dupuytren’s contracture usually starts with:
- A small hard lump on the palm of your hand or
- Dimples or ridges on your palm
Over time, the palmar fascia thickens and shortens. This gradually forces your finger towards your palm until eventually, your fingers become stuck in a bent-forward position. It can take months or years for your condition to cause significant problems and treatment will not be effective until this point.
When your Dupuytren’s contracture has become more severe, you may not be able to lay your hand flat, palm down on a table. You may also find it challenging to carry out simple tasks like putting on gloves or getting things out of your pocket.
Some people experience pain with the condition, but this doesn’t always happen. Sometimes the nodules in your hand can be sore but they usually become less painful in time. When your finger is fixed into a rigid position, the bent skin can become sore and lead to skin loss if you have trouble healing it.
Some people experience pain with the condition, but this doesn’t always happen. Sometimes the nodules in your hand can be sore but they usually become less painful in time. When your finger is fixed into a rigid position, the bent skin can become sore and lead to skin loss if you have trouble healing it.
Dupuytren’s contracture causes
The cause of Dupuytren’s contracture isn’t entirely understood, but some people may be at a higher risk than others. As the cause of the condition isn’t clear, it’s not currently known if it’s preventable or if it can be stopped from coming back after treatment.
People at risk of developing Dupuytren’s contracture include:
- Being over the age of 50
- Being male
- Having a family history of the condition
- Diabetes
- Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol
However, these risk factors do not guarantee Dupuytren’s contracture. They simply increase your risk of it developing.
Dupuytren’s contracture surgery
Before having surgery, you’ll have a full consultation with your surgeon. They will assess your hands and fingers and confirm that you have Dupuytren’s contracture.
They may perform a simple test asking you to put your palm flat on the table. An inability to flatten or straighten your fingers can confirm your need for treatment.
Dupytren’s contracture surgery is the most effective way of treating your condition. Surgery is the only way to resolve severe symptoms of Dupytren’s contracture, which will only get worse if left untreated.
Dupuytren’s fasciectomy, or Dupuytren’s contracture surgery, is a straightforward procedure that provides almost instant results.
We carry out the procedure with a local anaesthetic to numb the hand or we use general anaesthetic so you are asleep throughout. Your surgeon will discuss the anaesthetic type with you and tailor it to suit your needs.
Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, the surgeon will make incisions along your palm and fingers to access the thickened tissue. They’ll then remove the affected skin and replace it with grafts from other areas of your body. The grafted skin will enable you to move your fingers as usual.
Dupuytren’s contracture: surgery recovery
You can often go home on the same day as long as no complications arise. Your surgeon may recommend you wear a splint on your hand at night to keep your fingers in the correct position.
We recommend physiotherapy after Dupuytren’s contracture surgery to prevent stiffness in your fingers and help you regain movement. Our physiotherapists will work with you to enhance your range of motion and support a total recovery from surgery.
Potential complications
General complications can potentially arise and may include:
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring
Specific complications of Dupuytren’s contracture surgery are rare, but they can include:
- Injury to an artery in your finger
- Incomplete correction
- Return of your symptoms
- Stiffness in your fingers
- Numbness
However, our team takes every precaution to minimise your risk of complications, so you can expect to go home within a few hours.
The benefits of Dupuytren’s contracture surgery
Dupuytren’s contracture surgery has many benefits that may outweigh potential complications.
The benefits of Dupuytren’s contracture surgery include:
- Being able to straighten your fingers out once more
- Pain relief
- Slowing down the progress of Dupuytren’s disease
- Effective outcome when compared to minor treatments
Why choose The Horder Centre for your Dupuytren’s contracture surgery?
When you choose The Horder Centre, you gain access to our expert team of highly experienced surgeons who ensure our patients receive the best results.
Read Steve Robinson’s experience as a patient who had Dupuytren’s contracture surgery at The Horder Centre. He explains how our hand surgery and subsequent physiotherapy sessions restored his fingers to their original position and enhanced his recovery.
In his story, Steve said: "The healing seemed to take place very quickly. I noticed very early on the angle the fingers went back to."
Our team is dedicated to providing personalised, comprehensive care, so you can be sure we’ll treat your Dupuytren’s contracture effectively and efficiently.
Get in touch
The Horder Centre can help if you’re dealing with Dupuytren’s contracture and need treatment. Simply contact our team and we’ll book a thorough consultation to create a personalised Dupuytren’s contracture treatment plan based on your needs.
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This document is intended for information purposes only and should not replace advice that your relevant health professional would give you.
© EIDO Systems International
The operation and treatment information on this webpage is produced using information from EIDO Systems International and is licensed by Horder Healthcare. The information should not replace the advice that your relevant health professional would give you.
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