Offering Dupuytren’s Contracture Treatment in Central Indiana
If you’ve noticed thickened skin or finger stiffness that won’t go away, it could be more than just aging. At Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, we help patients across Central Indiana understand and manage this common hand condition. Dupuytren’s can make everyday tasks such as gripping, shaking hands, or putting on gloves challenging over time. Our experienced physicians are here to evaluate your symptoms and offer personalized treatment options, whether that means simple observation or more advanced care. Learn more about Dupuytren’s contracture from Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics.
What is Dupuytren’s Contracture?
Dupuytren’s contracture is a disorder of the palm and fingers. In a normal hand, there is a fibrous tissue called fascia. Fascia covers the important nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and tendons. Fascia also stabilizes the skin. In Dupuytren’s disease, this fascia can become abnormal. It becomes thicker and forms cords. These cords are often mistaken for tendons because they look and feel similar. Unlike a tendon that is moved by a muscle that shortens and lengthens, cord tissue is not connected to a muscle. Cord tissue is static and does not move. They can be separate or together, and there may be one or several.
“Over time, Dupuytren’s disease can draw the fingers down. Many times patients, and even referring physicians, can mistake this condition for cysts, arthritis, and trigger fingers as they can often look similar. I recommend patients come in for evaluation if they can no longer lay their hand flat,” says Dr. Toni Lin, an orthopedic surgeon at Forté specializing in elbows, wrists, hands, and fingers.
What Causes Dupuytren’s Contracture?
The exact cause of Dupuytren’s contracture is unknown and complex. It is a hereditary disease, meaning family history and ancestry play a role. The disease is more common in men, individuals over the age of 40, and people of northern European descent. There is no evidence that hand injuries or specific jobs lead to a greater risk of developing Dupuytren’s Contracture. Occasionally, after a distal radius fracture, a patient may develop a single nodule in the palm.
What Are the Risk Factors?
Age: Dupuytren’s contracture occurs most commonly after the age of 40.
Sex: Men are much more likely to develop Dupuytren than women. In men, symptoms may be worse and progress more quickly.
Tobacco and alcohol use: Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol both increase the risk of Dupuytren’s contracture.
Family history: Dupuytren’s contracture disease is genetic, but it depends on ancestry, age, gender, and relatives.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Dupuytren’s Contracture?
Symptoms of Dupuytren’s contracture typically include lumps, nodules and bands or cords on the palmar side of the hands. The lumps are usually firm and stuck to the skin of the palm. Skin can seem thicker and puckered. Some areas are swollen and puffy. In others, the skin is puckered and pulled down. Thick cords may develop from the palm into one or more fingers. These cords may cause the fingers to bend. The lumps can be uncomfortable in some people; however, Dupuytren’s is not typically painful. It is difficult to predict how the disease will progress. Some individuals only have small lumps, while others develop severely bent fingers. The disease tends to be more severe if it occurs at an earlier age.
What is the Treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture?
The presence of a lump in the palm does not mean that treatment is required or that the disease will progress. It is also important to note that not all lumps in the palm are Dupuytren’s. It can be helpful to see a physician for an examination. Sometimes, a physical examination is all that is needed to evaluate a mass. Other times, imaging such as X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound may be necessary. Splinting or stretching typically does not prevent worsening of the contracture, but it is safe to try.
For contractures that become painful, there are nonsurgical and surgical options. These are typically discussed when the contracture prevents the hand from lying flat on a table. A physician can discuss the right method for you based on the stage and pattern of the disease. The goal of treatment is to improve finger motion and function. Complete correction of the fingers may not always happen.
“I see patients with Dupuytren’s disease several times each day, and many do not have a known family history of this condition. They’re often pleasantly surprised that we may be able to treat their contractures with an office procedure, though other times, surgery is the best option,” says Dr. Toni Lin, an orthopedic surgeon at Forté specializing in elbows, wrists, hands, and fingers.
Schedule a Consultation at Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Today
If you are experiencing hand pain, have thickened skin on your palm or finger stiffness and it is interfering with your ability to perform your daily activities, look to our team for assistance. We have convenient locations in Carmel, Greenwood, Mooresville, Noblesville, and Tipton to serve you. Following a consultation, our hand experts will tailor a treatment plan that ensures the best possible outcome. Contact us today to get started.
