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All You Need to Know about Dupuytren’s Contracture and Vikings Disease

Post Date: March 14, 2022

Dupuytren’s Contracture or Vikings Disease is caused by an abnormal tightening and thickening of the fascia, under the skin, on the palm.

 

Dupuytren’s disease is normally a slow and relatively painless medical condition. Initially, soft lumps and pitted skin start to grow in the palm. Over time it gets thick, and a rope-like nodule is developed that pulls the fingers towards the palm into a bent position. These cords make it difficult to stretch the fingers or rest your hand flat on any surface. The little and ring fingers are usually affected; however, it may affect any or all the fingers, including the thumb.

 

Dupuytren’s disease, also known as Viking hand syndrome, is suspected to be a hereditary disorder in the family; however, the exact cause is still unknown. Numerous risk factors are believed to contribute to developing Dupuytren’s contracture or Viking disease.

These include:

Gender: Men are eight times more likely to suffer this condition than women.

 

Ancestry: Common in people with Northern European and Scandinavian ancestry.

 

Excess alcohol and tobacco use can exasperate this condition.

 

Diabetes can exasperate this condition.

 

Age: Occurrence increases with age.

What causes Dupuytren’s contracture?

As mentioned earlier, the cause of Dupuytren’s contracture is still unknown. Still, certain factors raise the risk, such as being male, over 50 years of age, and being of Northern European descent.

Why is Dupuytren’s contracture known as Viking disease?

Dupuytren’s disease has been named “the Viking hand syndrome” due to its occurrence in Northern European descent. According to history, this condition was common among the Vikings, who occupied and invaded much of Northern Europe, spreading the disease in the populations they intermarried with.

Can Dupuytren’s contracture be cured?

Mild cases are usually observed until the condition develops where medical assistance is required.

Home remedies for Dupuytren’s Disease

Though there is no specific cure for Dupuytren’s contracture. The treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms of the disease. While surgical treatment is an option — and many a time it becomes a necessity — there are a number of at-home treatments that you can try to get rid of Dupuytren’s contracture or Viking hand:

  1. Reduce palm pressure

The skin on the palm is where the disease begins. You can manage your symptoms by safeguarding the affected hand:

Practice a loose grip: The palm bends when we hold something, forming a curl position around the object. Remember to safeguard your hands whenever you need to hold something by using looser pressure.

 

Wear gloves: Some objects require a tighter grip to be used effectively. Try to alleviate some pressure by wearing hand gloves or using a cushion-like Dupuytren’s Tape that helps minimize the amount of pressure on the affected hands.

  1. Try exercises

There are a number of exercises that help manage the condition. Exercises and stretches do not necessarily stop or slow the development of the contracture but are a helpful option at the early stages of Dupuytren’s disease:

Finger lifts: One easy exercise is to lay your palm flat on a table. Next, try raising every finger one at a time and pausing at each raise for some time. Try to repeat this exercise many times a day.

 

Finger spreads: With your palm on the table, try to stretch your fingers by spreading them as wide as you can and slowly drawing them back together.

Seek Professional Level Treatment from the Dupuytren’s Wand

At Dupuytren’s Wand, we know the frustrating impact Dupuytren’s contracture and Vikings disease brings to your life. Our skilled team is here to offer you different options, including the Dupuytren’s Wand and Dupuytren’s Tape, and jelly. If you think it’s the right time for a professional-level treatment, reach out to us with questions today.

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How Can Ultrasound Help in Increasing the Flexibility of the Fingers?

Post Date: August 10, 2020

You might wake up one day unable to hold your phone, unable to type with ease on your keypad, or even hold a spoon to make your breakfast. It’s a devastating scenario but can happen due to hand conditions that reduce flexibility in the fingers.

Rheumatological disorders

About 1 in 5 people develop a musculoskeletal disorder, yet most of us are unaware of the pain, inflammation, stiffness, and swelling associated with such disorders.

Mostly athletes and labor workers suffer from tendon problems in the hand because their flexor tendons are utilized a lot as part of their occupation. During flexion of the fingers, they may develop ulnar and radial displacement or palmar bowstringing.

What is ultrasound, and how can it help our fingers?

Ultrasound is used to create pictures of structures inside the body. Your doctor uses a transducer to send a stream of high-frequency sound waves in an area. This formulates an image, but also generates beneficial energy within your body.

Benefits of ultrasound therapy 
  • Improves wrist and finger flexibility 
  • Reduces swelling and inflammation instantly 
  • Decreases stiffness
  • Increases circulation 
  • Encourages healing 

Thanks to sonographic and ultrasound technology, you can continue with your sport or occupation without having to worry about muscular or skeletal injuries, as ultrasounds can provide an effective treatment.

Also, If you are suffering from Dupuytren’s disease, ultrasound can help you in increasing the range of motion and flexibility in hand movements, Duputyren’s wand is such device that provides effective results with its ultrasound frequencies and far-infrared heat waves that gradually break down the scar tissue forming the nodules underneath the skin of the hand. 

 

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Dupuytren’s Wand – Home Treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture

Post Date: June 19, 2020

 

Dupuytren’s contracture is an abnormal thickening and tightening of the elastic tissue that resides underneath the skin of the hand. It is a progressive hand deformity that develops over time, with more frequency seen in males over the age of 50. 

 

Dupuytren’s contracture, unfortunately, renders the hand in a permanently flexed position with difficulty in straightening the fingers. Starting as small nodular swellings, these scar tissues eventually coalesce together to usually involve more than one finger. This presentation is more commonly seen in the ring finger followed by the little and the middle finger. 

 

Dupuytren’s contracture is sometimes also called the Viking disease and has an unknown etiology. However, dynamics such as family history, chronic alcoholism, smoking, thyroid diseases, hand trauma, and diabetes mellitus, etc. are few proposed risk factors that are known to contribute to the pathophysiology of this deformity.

 

This condition not only gives rise to cosmetic concerns, discomfort, and pain but, also makes simple tasks a challenge to be conducted by the affected hand. 

 

Fortunately, today with the advancement of medical science, simple management protocols exits that efficiently tackle this problem. One such practical solution is the Dupuytren’s kit, which provides immediate results at home, without requiring any professional assistance.

 

The Dupuytren’s kit includes the Dupuytren’s wand, the Dupuytren’s tape, and a proprietary jelly that is to be applied over the desired healing site prior to the therapy session.

 

This Duputyren’s wand provides effective results with its ultrasound frequencies and far-infrared heat waves that gradually break down the scar tissue forming the nodules underneath the skin of the hand.  Beneficial outcomes are observed within the first few sessions of the treatment and significant relief from contracture occurs with continuous use.  

 

The ultrasound therapy session is recommended to be followed by a secure yet flexible splinting with the proprietary Dupuytren’s tape that is provided with the kit. The tape is to be applied from the pad of the affected finger, going over the tip to the backside of the hand. This provides extra comfort by securely holding the fingers in an extending position for extended periods. Thereby, increasing the range of motion and flexibility in hand movements. The tape is specially designed to be worn throughout the day with its waterproof, fully adherent, synthetic microfiber material that has a strong grip over the skin.

 

In all, the Dupuytren wand is an economical, pain-free and non-invasive home treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture.

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The benefit of Self-Heating Jelly – Dupuytren’s Jelly

Post Date: June 12, 2020

Dupuytren’s Contraction is a common finger deformity found among adults due to excessive usage of the hand or genetic inheritance. This condition mainly affects the fascia, which tightens and thickens over time, resulting in the fingers being pulled inwards towards the palm.

 

Dupuytren’s Home Treatment Method – Dupuytren’s Jelly

Performing simple activities with Dupuytren’s Contracture becomes difficult, which is why imminent treatment is often recommended. However, before rushing into hefty treatment methods like steroid injections or surgery, other alternatives and home treatments should be considered. 

 

Benefits of Dupuytren’s Jelly:

Dupuytren’s Jelly is known as a self-heating jelly. Dupuytren’s Wand and Dupuytren’s Jelly work hand in hand to make the perfect combination of treatment methods for the disease. Dupuytren’s jelly is a self-heating jelly that not only eases the discomfort that comes with Dupuytren’s Contracture but also contributes to an inexpensive and feasible alternative to Dupuytren’s surgery. 

 

The Dupuytren’s Jelly essentially prepares the hand for the wand, which uses ultrasound and infrared radiation that maximizes the blood flow to the area and starts tackling the swelling. The jelly provides a smooth and warm surface on which the wand is then run over. 

 

Once the jelly is applied to the suffering fingers, the Dupuytren’s Wand is used to release basic ultrasound and far-infrared to treat the area. The Dupuytren’s Wand increases localized blood flow to the knots formed under the skin, decreases the swelling of the edema caused by them, and gently massages the area. The frequency of the ultrasound and the heat of the infrared radiation help to slowly break down the buildup of scar tissue under the skin and loosen the stiff cords and nodules formed.   The combination of the Wand, Jelly, and Tape also helps increase flexibility and range of motion fast! 

 

Results are seen as readily as the first time. Over time, after increased usage of the wand and the jelly, the Contracture further keeps softening until it is no longer a hindrance.

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Dupuytren’s Wand and Dupuytren’sTape

Post Date: May 8, 2020

Dupuytren’s Wand and Dupuytren’sTape
Our hands are the most used and functional parts of the body; compromising the use of our hands is a horrible thought for most of us. For people with Dupuytren’s Disease, it is a reality.

 

Dupuytren’s Wand and Tape – How the Product Works:

Viable Home-treatment Option:
To make life easier for people with Dupuytren’s Contracture, both the Dupuytren’s Wand and Dupuytren’s Tape work together to make the most efficient of teams! No other two products work as well together as these two. The treatment provided by them is safe, affordable, and so easy it can be done at home, reducing costs for all those doctor visits as well as any other treatment methods.

 

A complete 2-in-1 Formula:
The Dupuytren’s Wand and Tape work together to increase localized blood flow, reduce swelling of the edema, and gently massage fibrous tissue so they can soften the nodules, cords, and the scar tissue. The hand is then prepared for the tape, which can be worn all day and all night, providing a consistent and gentle stretch of the hand, allowing it to have increased motion and stretching.

 

Why is it so Effective?
Specific Design to deal with the Disease:

This system of using the Dupuytren’s Wand and Tape was designed specifically to reduce tightness in the tissues, decrease swelling, and increase blood flow in the area. All three of these play an essential part in restoring flexibility and movement to the fingers.

The tape has been designed to provide more support to finger ligaments and joints using extra-strong and stretchable synthetic microfibers. This not only enhances the range of motion of the finger joints, but it also assists proprioception, with muscles, joints, and movements of fluids within the body working together as one whole system. The tape remains in tension for long periods of time, ensuring the finger muscles receive consistent stretching and provide relief from the disease.

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Treatment Options for Dupuytren’s Contracture

Post Date: May 7, 2020

Though many people never get to the stage of Dupuytren’s Contracture becoming serious, risk should be reduced as advanced stages of this disease can be difficult. 

A wide number of Dupuytren’s treatment options are available when it comes to the disease.

 

Home Treatment Methods – Safe and Affordable:

In recent years more viable options for treatment have also been developed:

  • Dupuytren’s Wand: The Dupuytren’s Wand has proven to be a quick and inexpensive solution for Dupuytren’s Contracture, which can easily be used from home. It is effective in restoring movement of your hand and delays the need for surgery.   It is especially effective in the earlier stages of Dupuytren’s Disease.
  • Dupuytren’s Tape: Working with the wand, or independently of the wand, Dupuytren’s Tape is again a great home treatment for the disease. Quick, cheap, and easy to use, the tape provides a gentle stretch to your finger, allowing your hand to achieve a better range of motion without restricting grasping.

Other Treatment Methods – Risk Factors Involved:

 

  • Injections: Corticosteroids are injected into the nodule of the fascia. Any tenderness is reduced, and further thickening of the tissue is delayed.
  • Splinting: It is a forceful stretching of the contracted finger and is not typically recommended. It can cause further damage or injury to the finger and is not known to be helpful.
  • Fasciotomy: Fasciotomy is a popular surgical treatment method in which an incision in the palm is made, and the thickened cords of tissue are divided.
  • Subtotal Palmar Fasciectomy: This is another surgical method in which incision is made in the palm, and abnormal tissues and cords are removed in the process just enough to straighten the fingers.

Risk Factors Involved:

Many risk factors come in with these procedures:

  • Long healing and recovery time
  • Pain and scarring
  • Potential damage to the nerves or blood vessels
  • Post-procedure infection
  • Loss of sensation or loss of viability of the finger

These treatment methods also require greater wound care and take a lot of time and effort for physical therapy. 

 

 

 

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Treating the Early Stages of Dupuytren’s Contracture

Post Date: May 6, 2020

Imagine having two of your fingers permanently bent inwards without you able to move or use them. Life would surely become difficult, especially when you can’t do things like put your hand in your pockets, to say the least. And not to mention the attention it would grab!

Complications associated with Dupuytren’s Contraction: Ideally, having a finger or two bent unnaturally is not anyone’s cup of tea. Let’s see the ways in which Duputren’s Contraction may hinder our lives. 

 

  • Simple Tasks become Difficult to Perform: Certain functions that require the movement of the hand become difficult with Dupuytren’s Contraction. Since it limits the ability for you to fully open your hand or straighten your fingers, simple tasks like putting your hands in your pockets, wearing gloves, holding large objects, or moving your hands into small spaces become increasingly difficult.
  • May cause Disability of the Hand: Dupuytren’s Contraction is not a particularly dangerous disease, but the more time the fingers are left in the position, the thicker the fascia cords become. Severe cases of Dupuytren’s Contraction can lead to disability. Thus, it is suggested that it should not be left untreated. Many methods of treatments are available, with Dupuytren’s Wand and Dupuytren’s Tape playing major roles in the easing of this disease.
  • Can Lead to Further Complications: Though in most cases, only the hands are affected by Dupuytren’s Contraction, in some more severe cases, further complications can also develop. A person suffering from Dupuytren’s Disease may develop Garrod’s pads, which cause the finger joints to enlarge and thicken, Ledderhose Disease, which causes the foot tissues to thicken and shorten creating difficulty in walking, or Peyronie’s Disease.

To ensure that the disease does not progress, treatment is recommended at the earliest notice as letting it develop further can cause a lot of problems.