Tag: Treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture

Before we get into the best Dupuytren’s Contracture treatment, let us cover a few important pieces of information. Dupuytren’s Contracture affects the hand and fingers, starting as a lump or nodule on the hand. The condition is progressive, and as it worsens, it causes a cord to develop between the nodule and the joints on the fingers. The cord will cause the finger to bend unnaturally towards the palm, making use of the finger extremely difficult. In most cases, the disease is not painful; however, the pain can be unbearable if it is too close to a nerve. 

 

The condition can affect anyone but is more common in men over 40. You are more likely to contract Dupuytrens Contracture if you are Caucasian, especially if you have Northern European roots. People who suffer from diabetes, liver disease, or have thyroid issues are more likely to develop Dupuytren’s Contracture. There is also more chance of developing the condition if a person consumes large amounts of alcohol or regularly smokes cigarettes. 

 

There are numerous options for Dupuytren’s Contracture treatment; let’s take a look at these and both the pro’s and con’s. 

 

Surgery

 

Surgery is the most commonly used Dupuytren’s Contracture treatment. A surgeon will make an incision in the hand and remove the infected tissue before sewing up the patient. The hand and finger will resume regular movement after surgery. The issue with surgery is the scar that is left is quite gruesome and prone to infection. There is a risk of nerve damage with surgery, as well as potential infection of the wound. The condition is also known to return after surgery. 

 

Needle Aponeurotomy

 

A needle aponeurotomy involves a doctor inserting a needle into the affected hand. The needle is placed in the affected tissue and moved around. The movement breaks up the infected tissue, releasing the finger’s joint allowing for movement to return to normal. The issue is the procedure can result in nerve or tendon damage, which will require treatment. Patients are also known to suffer from numbness and a tingling sensation in the hand and fingers. There is usually swelling at the incisions site, and the hand is likely to become swollen.

 

Splint or Brace

 

Doctors will regularly recommend using a splint or brace, usually after the patient has taken an anti-inflammatory pain killer. Splints will keep the finger in a straightened position and stop any further bending. Splints and braces are cumbersome and make the use of the hand difficult. They are also known to cause pain and discomfort to the wearer. A splint or brace will not prevent the condition from returning and is recommended to be used during recovery from surgery. 

 

Dupuytren’s Wand, Tape, and Jelly

 

The Dupuytrens Wand, Jelly, and Tape are proven to not only reduce the symptoms of Dupuytren’s Contracture but to do so after only a few uses. The tape is a far better solution than a splint or brace, as it doesn’t affect the hand as drastically. These three items can be found on the shop page of the website.

Dupuytren’s Contracture is a disease that is often found in men over 50. It starts as a nodule in the palm, and as it continues to develop, the fingers begin to turn in towards the center of the hand. The condition will usually impact the ring and middle fingers, making things like writing, driving, and cleaning very difficult to accomplish. In most cases, the condition is not painful.

 

The most common form of treatment is surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery is not guaranteed to eliminate the disease, and it often will return. The operation leaves an unsightly scar, and the patient is at risk of infection if the wound does not clear up correctly.  Radiation therapy is also used in some cases and is an alternative to surgery. A doctor may also prescribe the patient with a steroid injection; this will help to straighten out the fingers and reduce the size of the nodule that has developed on the hand. A new injection was recently released called Xoaflex, which will break down the infected tissue so the finger can be straightened out. Another form of treatment is needle aponeurotomy, where the needles are used to release the tightened cords allowing the fingers to return to their straightened position.

 

There is an alternative treatment to Dupuytren’s Contracture, one that has been extensively tested and proven to improve the fingers’ movements. The treatment has no known side effects and is a far more cost-effective option than steroid injections, needle aponeurotomy, or surgery. The treatment is the use of Dupuytrens jelly in conjunction with Dupuytrens wand and tape. The jelly will prepare the hand for the wand’s use, and then the tape is used to straighten out the fingers and allow them to heal naturally. You can find these items on the shop page of the website.