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What You Need to Know About Dupuytren’s Contracture
Characterized by hard, rope-like cords, which form across a patient’s palm and fingers, Dupuytren’s contracture can limit a patient’s ability to flatten his or her hand and make everyday tasks difficult.
The cause of Dupuytren’s contracture is unknown, but may be associated with biochemical factors within a patient’s hand. It is found more commonly in patients with Northern European heritage, patients over the age of 40, and in men more often than women.
“Over time, the cords can prevent patients from being able to straighten their fingers. Patients often have difficulty getting their hands into their pockets or into gloves,” explains Dr. Jason D. Tavakolian, hand surgeon at Slocum Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. “Dupuytren’s itself is not painful, but patients can be sore from compensating for the stiffness.”
For cords that have not caused finger contracture, treatment is rarely necessary. However, for cords with contracture, patients will frequently benefit from release. Depending on the pattern of contracture, there may be several possible management options including release of the cord with a needle (needle fasciotomy), enzyme injection (collagenase clostridium histolyticum, known as Xiaflex), or traditional surgery. There is no single best treatment—each of these options has pros and cons, and the management is targeted to the specific patient and disease pattern.
If you have questions about treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture or would like to schedule an appointment with one of the hand doctors at Slocum Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, call 541.249.4091.
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