NYC Dupuytren’s Contracture Treatment

Dupuytren’s Contracture is a condition that causes your pinky and ring finger to be pulled toward your palm in a bent position. Once the condition has progressed to a certain point, your fingers may no longer be able to straighten out, interfering with a variety of everyday activities.

Dupuytren’s Contracture develops over the course of years, causing a thickening of the skin and, in some cases, the growth of a lump on the palm of your hand that may be sensitive to the touch. Beneath the skin of your palm, cords of tissue tighten, causing your fingers to be pulled inward.

While this condition usually only affects the pinky and ring finger, it’s possible for other fingers to be affected. Additionally, while one hand usually experiences more severe symptoms, both hands may be affected.

There’s no clear evidence to indicate what causes Dupuytren’s Contracture. It’s most common in men of Northern European descent over the age of 50, and it may be passed down by family members. Additionally, tobacco and alcohol usage increase a person’s risk of developing Dupuytren’s Contracture. Diabetes and seizure disorders have also been linked to this condition.

Many patients may only experience minor symptoms of this disease and never require treatment. However, if the condition worsens and begins to interfere in your regular activities, there are surgical and non-surgical treatments available to help you.

Anti-inflammatory steroid injections may slow the progression of Dupuytren’s Contracture, but their effectiveness varies between patients. The two most common surgeries for this condition, fasciotomy and subtotal palmar fasciectomy, are the most effective treatments available. While these surgeries may not permanently resolve the condition, they do disrupt or remove the cords causing the contraction effect. These cords may grow back as the tissues in your hand heal, but it will take time for them to reach pre-surgery levels of severity.