What is Dupuytren’s Disease?
Dupuytren’s disease causes the fingers to bend towards the palm due to an abnormal thickening in the fascia, which is the tissue between the skin and the tendons. In some cases you can see a cord form under the skin that stretches from the palm of the hand to the fingers. This cord can cause the fingers to bend inward toward the palm, which over time may prohibit them from fully straightening. Sometimes the thickening affects the area over the knuckles.

What causes Dupuytren’s Disease?
Causes are unknown and no known cure is available. However, the disease is usually painless and non-cancerous. Dupuytren’s occurs more frequently in men over 40 and can run in families. Those who develop Dupuytren’s at an early age or who find that it is occurring in other areas of the body may end up with a more severe case of Dupuytren’s than those who develop it later in life.

What are the signs and symptoms of Dupuytren’s Disease?
Dupuytren’s disease occurs very slowly and is usually noticed as a small bump or pit in the palm of the hand. It tends to occur at or near the crease closest to the ring and small finger. Over time, a cord may start to appear between the palm and fingers. This cord lies under the surface, preventing the hand from straightening. Dupuytren’s disease is usually noticed when the palm is down and the fingers are unable to straighten on an even surface.

What kind of treatment is available for Dupuytren’s Disease?
There is no cure for Dupuytren’s disease. However, hand surgery can help relieve some of the stress induced by the fingers bending, but the condition can return over time. Consult with your hand surgeon along with a hand therapist to ensure the most effective treatment.

Occasionally, therapy is required following hand surgery to regain better use of the hand. The Rehabilitation department at The Centre is staffed by highly skilled, professionally trained therapists who offer a unique variety of treatment options to help patients return to their normal routines as quickly and comfortably as possible. In some cases, the Vector 1 or Vector 2 therapy devices may be recommended or ordered by your physician.

Please contact our hand surgeons to schedule a consultation about your hand injury. The Centre for Working Hands offers treatment for Dupuytren’s disease to patients in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, Michiana and the Southern Michigan area.

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