Dupuytren's disease

Cause

This is often a hereditary condition in which several people in a family suffer from the condition. The condition is much more common in men and is of northern European origin. It particularly affects the little finger and the ring finger. The first symptoms usually begin from the age of 40.

Symptoms

Usually, painless, small lumps or hardening appear in the palm of the hand. As the disease progresses, strands progressively appear in the palm and over the fingers. Those strands will cause the fingers to become progressively more curved and therefore unable to fully extend. This, of course, will cause poorer function of the hand in day-to-day activities.

‍Treatment

To date, the disease itself cannot be cured. Therefore, preventive treatment for the disease makes no sense. Only if the fingers are crooked, and this causes trouble with activities, a treatment is necessary. Neither medication nor physical therapy can cure the disease.

During surgery, affected tissue in the palm and/or fingers can be (partially) removed. It is possible that after surgery, the lumps and strands may return over time.

Recovery

After surgery, you will be given a bandage around the hand that will be replaced with a smaller one after a week. It usually takes a few weeks for the wounds to heal nicely. If necessary, a night splint will be fitted after surgery to keep the operated fingers stretched.‍‍

Physical therapy is often necessary to learn to use the hand again optimally.