What Is Dupuytren's Contracture?

Dupuytren’s contracture is the abnormal thickening of the fascia in the palm of the hand to the base of the fingers. When the fibrous tissue thickens, it tightens into a cord, which can pull the fingers towards the palm. The result makes it hard to straighten one or more fingers.

Being unable to straighten your fingers can lead to a myriad of problems in daily life. This issue can also lead to increased pain overtime. Boston Hand to Shoulder treats all cases of Dupuytren’s contracture to relieve symptoms and help prevent it from getting worse. If you are concerned about the development of Dupuytren’s contracture, call one of our hand specialists as soon as possible to set up an initial appointment.

What Causes Dupuytren's Contracture?

Dupuytren’s contracture is believed to be a hereditary disorder. Although it can affect anyone, some people may be more prone than others to developing it. Factors that increase the risk of Dupuytren’s contracture include:

  • Gender: Men are more likely than women to develop Dupuytren’s contracture
  • Genetics: If another person in your family has had Dupuytren’s contracture, you may be more likely to get it through inherited traits
  • People of European descent: Dupuytren’s contracture has been traced back to Northern Europe, as it is believed to have originated from the Vikings who spread it across there
  • Seizure medications: those suffering from epilepsy and other seizure disorders may have increased risk due to the medications they take
  • Alcoholism and smoking: Overuse of these substances may increase risk
  • Diabetes: Of who have had diabetes, those who have had it the longest are most likely to develop Dupuytren’s contracture
  • Sedentary lifestyle: Leading a sedentary lifestyle or long-term obesity also increase the risk due to lack of movement

Being aware of the risks allows those most prone to the disorder to take actionable precautions or treat it early on, before it impacts their life. Luckily, there are plenty of treatment options available.

Dupuytren’s Contracture Treatment

Treatment options for Dupuytren’s contracture vary depending on the severity of care needed to reduce symptoms. At Boston Hand to Shoulder, our hand care specialists will determine what type of treatment works best for your hand’s condition.

Surgery

Fasciectomy is a surgery used to treat Dupuytren’s contracture in which an orthopaedic hand surgeon removes thick fascia, allowing you to straighten your fingers and regain movement. This surgical procedure should be performed by an experienced hand surgeon. Although the recovery time can be long for fasciectomy (compared to other treatment options), it is a highly effective treatment for Dupuytren’s disease.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to soften the thicken fascia that causes Dupuytren’s contracture. It can also help reduce inflammation that can make symptoms of the disease worse. The goal of radiation therapy is to reduce growth of the disease and prevent cording, or thicken of the fibrous tissue, that causes restriction.

Enzyme Injection

Enzyme is an effective non-surgical procedure for Dupuytren’s contracture in which your hand specialist injects a collagenase enzyme into the thickened cords in the hands. This treatment often requires more than one procedure within a certain time frame, as specified by your doctor. Enzyme injections can reduce or fully eliminate symptoms of Dupuytren’s contracture for years.

Steroid Shot

Steroid shots for Dupuytren’s contracture are called corticosteroid injections, in which a hand specialist administers cortisone shots to help relieve painful nodules. Nodules are lumps or abnormal growth caused by Dupuytren’s contracture. Steroid shots are often used to treat Dupuytren’s disease in early stages. They are less effective in later stages, when the tissue has thickened.

Frequently Asked Questions

What mimics Dupuytren’s contracture?

Trigger finger is another condition that impacts the fingers, causing them to lock or catch when bent. Unlike Dupuytren’s contracture, trigger finger is caused by tendon inflammation, and the fingers may be able to pop out to re-straighten. Dupuytren’s contracture involved the tissue, rather than the tendon. 

Is there a way to stop Dupuytren’s contracture?

While there is no full cure to permanently stop Dupuytren’s contracture, there are plenty of treatment options available to relieve and reduce symptoms. These treatments include surgery, cortisone injections, enzyme injections, and radiation therapy. Using treatment can also prevent symptoms from worsening, or at least delay the time in which it takes the disease to progress. 

What aggravates Dupuytren’s contracture?

Dupuytren’s contracture is a progressive disease impacting the tissue beneath the skin. Consult with a doctor immediately if you suspect you are having hand problems due to Dupuytren’s disease. Do not aggravate Dupuytren’s contracture by trying to treat it yourself. Stretching or splinting the fingers may aggravate Dupuytren’s contracture, making it worse. 

How do you fix Dupuytren’s contracture without surgery?

Non-surgical procedures used to treat Dupuytren’s contracture are enzyme injections, steroid shots (or cortisone shots), and radiation therapy. Upon consulting with your doctor or hand specialist, they will advise the best treatment options based on your symptoms.