Dupuytren’s Contracture is a condition that slowly causes the connective tissue under the skin of your palm to thicken and become a scar-like nodule, limiting the activity of your hand. However, although Dupuytren’s isn’t always painful, it does limit movement. The thickened tissue pushes some fingers – usually your ring and pinky fingers – to curl in toward your palm. The thick tissue, called contracture, causes bending.
These nodules can develop together and form tight, restricting cords, limiting finger extension and resulting in contractures. Usually located in the palm of the hand at the base of the ring and little fingers, a Dupuytren’s Contracture can significantly impact hand function. If the symptoms of the conditions are mild, go for home treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture.
Early signs of Dupuytren’s Contracture
First, the skin on the palm starts to thicken and might appear contracted, like knots of hard tissue that begin to develop on your palm. These nodules might feel soft to the touch but they are usually not painful. The thickening of the skin usually happens very slowly. You don’t require treatment unless your symptoms bother you.
How fast do the symptoms of Dupuytren’s Contracture grow?
The symptoms of Dupuytren’s usually occur very slowly and show up initially as sore knots in the palm. These nodules may eventually stiffen and contract, causing tough bands of tissue to grow under the skin. Finally, one or more fingers will begin to flex towards the palm – any finger can be affected. However, this most commonly develops in the ring finger and little finger. It is crucial to note that these symptoms tend to grow very slowly, meaning they may not trigger any problems for many years. The disease process may never grow beyond nodules in the palm. You can try the best treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture.
Life with Dupuytren’s Contracture
As Dupuytren’s permanently curls fingers into a fixed position, it can become hard to grip big objects and do simple activities, like washing your face or putting on gloves. The condition usually doesn’t affect your ability to write and grasp small objects because the thumb and index finger are not usually affected.
Best non-surgical treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture
Dupuytren’s Contracture may not be the most painful disease that one can experience but it can make daily activities a real pain. Therefore, its diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Here are the non-surgical treatment options you can try if you are suffering from the condition.
1. Enzyme injections: if your finger is already curled, your doctor may suggest you have an enzyme injection. The injection solution contains a mixture of enzymes injected into the affected area to break down the tissues. The injection will loosen the contracted tissues and the doctor will be able to stretch your fingers if the nodule is present the following day.
2. Radiation therapy: another non-surgical treatment option for Dupuytren’s Contracture is low energy radiation therapy. It may help reduce the symptoms and prevent the worsening of the nodules as well as skin changes that come with the condition. However, there is very little research to encourage the use of this therapy for Dupuytren’s.
3. Steroid injections: these are strong anti-inflammatory medications which can help with Dupuytren’s Contracture. These injections may reduce the size of the knot on the palm but this treatment is less effective in severe stages of the Dupuytren’s Contracture.
4. Dupuytren’s wand and jelly: Dupuytren’s wand and jelly effectively reduce the symptoms and discomfort associated with the condition. The jelly is applied to the hand and then massaged with a wand, which will soothe the fingers, improve blood flow and movement.
The bottom line
Dupuytren’s Contracture is a severe condition that can impact your life in different ways. So, you can go for non-surgical treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture and make your life normal again.