There has been talk of using magnesium as a Dupuytren’s Contracture home treatment. Before we look at what effect magnesium may have on this condition, let’s make sure we understand what Dupuytren’s Contracture is and its impact on the patient.
Dupuytren’s Disease is a genetic condition that is often found in members of the same family. It is common to hear the disease referred to as Viking’s Disease; this is because it was common amongst Viking men. It is rumored that the Vikings spread the condition throughout Europe as they plundered the region. More common in Caucasian men over the age of forty, the disease starts as a lump in the palm and develops into a cord that pulls on the joints of the finger. The condition is usually not painful; however, in some cases, when the bump grows too close to a nerve or tendon, it can be excruciating.
The finger’s unnatural bending can leave the affected hand entirely useless for the patient, making everyday life difficult. The condition will usually affect the little and ring finger and can be found on both hands. In some cases, patients of Dupuytren’s Contracture may also suffer from Ledderhose Disease, which is the development of lumps on the feet.
How to treat Dupuytren’s Contracture
Most people do not do anything about Dupuytren’s Contracture. This is because the disease doesn’t really have any effect on life in its early stages. Other than a lump on the hand, there aren’t any other symptoms. However, this is a progressive disease and can develop at an alarming rate. Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes is known to cause the condition to develop very aggressively. Once the infection has developed and forced the finger to bend, most people will seek assistance. At this point, surgery is the most used form of treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture.
Magnesium has been tried and tested as a Dupuytren’s Contracture home treatment. When used as a topical treatment, the results have varied; magnesium has improved finger mobility. When taken orally, some patients have also seen a reduction in the size of the nodules present with Dupuytren’s Contracture; however, this was not the case for all the patients.
There are many dangers that come with taking magnesium; when a patient takes too much magnesium, they may experience an irregular heartbeat, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, low blood pressure, breathing complications, coma, and even death. With such little evidence proving magnesium is an effective Dupuytren’s Contracture home treatment, you may want to consider some of the other options.
Other Dupuytren’s Contracture home treatments include anti-inflammatory pain killers, which will help ease pain and reduce swelling. The issue with pain killers is they only provide temporary relief and will not eliminate the condition. Pain killers are also known to become addictive to patients, who come to rely on them for relief daily. Use of a splint is also recommended when suffering from Dupuytren’s Contracture. The splint will keep the finger in a straight position and prevent any trauma from occurring. The issue with a splint is that it makes the hand difficult to use cause they are cumbersome, and at times, they can make the condition more painful as they stretch the skin.
Using the Dupuytrens tape is the best treatment on the market as it doesn’t impede the hand as much as a splint or brace. It is lightweight and waterproof, so it won’t have to be changed all day long, and it encourages blood circulation, which helps with recovery. When used in tandem with the Dupuytrens wand and jelly, the tape is the most effective Dupuytrens Contracture home treatment available.