Dupuytren’s Contracture is a medical disorder in which the connective tissue beneath the palm stiffens and eventually turns into a scar-like lump over time. Although it isn’t always painful, it does limit the movement of your hands.
A hard lump in the palm, generally towards the base of the ring or little finger, is the initial symptom of Dupuytren’s Contracture. The thickening of the skin and underlying nodule usually occurs very slowly. Early-stage Dupuytren’s contracture can be treated at home using Dupuytren’s Wand and Tape.
As this condition bends fingers, it becomes difficult to grip heavy things and do simple tasks like washing your face or wearing gloves. However, because the thumb and index finger are usually unaffected, this disease may not impact the ability to write and hold small objects. Even if your symptoms are mild, you can get Dupuytren’s Contracture treatment at home.
You can also make an appointment with a physical therapist who will give you exercises to help you regain finger strength and movement. Unfortunately, discomfort and inconvenience related to Dupuytren’s Contracture may continue or recur even after successful treatments.
Symptoms
The following are possible signs and symptoms of Dupuytren’s contracture:
- Nodules: The most common symptom of this disease is one or more tiny lumps or nodules in the palm of your hand. The nodules may be sensitive at first, but this tenderness normally fades with time. In addition, there may be “pitting” or deep indentation of the skin near the nodules in some situations.
- Cords: Hard tissue cords under the skin are another symptom of Dupuytren’s contracture. This is because the nodules may thicken and contract, forming tight and tough tissue cords beneath the skin. These cords might make it difficult for the fingers and thumb to straighten or expand apart.In Dupuytren’s contracture, nodules under the skin grow, producing tissue cords that pull the affected fingers inward towards the palm.
- Contractures: As the tissue beneath the skin tightens, one or more of your fingers may be drawn into your palm, preventing them from extending apart. Although the ring and little fingers are the most commonly affected, any or all of the fingers, including the thumb, may be affected. The initial joint of the finger (knuckle joint) is most often damaged; however other joints may also be involved later.Dupuytren’s disease can cause thickened tissue in the feet (Ledderhose disease) or the penis (Peyronie’s disease) in some cases. However, symptoms do not appear in any other part of the body.
Causes of Dupuytren’s Contracture
The root cause of Dupuytren’s contracture is still unknown. However, there is no evidence that the syndrome is caused by hand injuries or occupations that involve vibrations to the hands. A number of factors are known to increase your chances of contracting the disease, including:
- Age: Happens after the age of 50.
- Socialhabits: Frequent smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Sex: Men are more prone to acquire Dupuytren’s disease than women.
- Family background: Dupuytren’s contracture is typically inherited.
- Medical conditions: Diabetes, liver cirrhosis, alcoholism, and seizure disorders.
- Ancestry: Commonly affects the north Europeans and people of Scandinavian ancestry.
- Tobacco and alcohol consumption: Smoking has been linked to a higher risk of Dupuytren’s contracture, possibly due to microscopic alterations in blood vessels caused by smoking. Alcohol consumption has also been linked to Dupuytren’s.It’s important to treat early-stage Dupuytren’s contracture to recover the strength and movement in your fingers. It can be treated at home with Dupuytren’s wand and tape. However, before starting any new treatment or physical therapy for Dupuytren’s Contracture, you should always consult your doctor. For additional information, visit Dupuytren’s Wand today!