Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition in which fascia – the fibrous layer of connective tissues that lie underneath the skin under the palm and fingers – thickens and causes one or more fingers to bend towards the palm.
Let’s talk about the four common symptoms of Dupuytren’s contracture, how this disease is treated, and where you can go for the treatment of this condition in Miami Lakes and Plantation, FL.
Symptoms of Dupuytren’s Contracture
Mainly, your ring finger and pinky finger is affected by Dupuytren’s contracture; however, any of your finger, including your thumb, can be affected by this disease.
Dupuytren’s contracture disease progresses slowly, over the years and may result in signs and symptoms like:
- Nodules – People suffering from Dupuytren’s contracture may develop one or more small lumps or nodules, typically fixed to the overlying skin or in the palm of their hands.
During the early years of disease development, these nodules feel tender, but with time, the tenderness goes away. You may also see “pitting” or deep indentation of the skin near the nodules.
- Cords–The nodules may thicken and contract to form a thick band of tissues under your skin. This thickened band of tissues can restrict your affected finger and thumb from straightening.
- Pits and Groves – You may also develop pits and grooves in the skin that are compressed by the contracted fingers. These pits and grooves can become very sore and may result in skin loss if they don’t heal properly.
- Inability to fully flatten your fingers while laying your hand flat on a table.
Treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture
Currently, there is no cure for Dupuytren’s contracture. Since the condition is not very dangerous, many people choose not to seek treatment. However, if your symptoms are interfering with your daily activities, treatments for Dupuytren’s contracture can help ease your symptoms or slow the worsening of your hand condition.
The most commonly used treatments options for Dupuytren’s contracture include:
Lifestyle And Home Remedies
Lifestyle and home remedies can significantly slow the progression of the disease and ease symptoms in people with mild Dupuytren contracture. To protect your hands, you should
- Use gloves with heavy padding during tasks that require heavy grasping
- Avoid a tight grip on tools by building up handles with cushion tape or pipe insulation
Needling
This treatment method involves using needles to puncture and break the thick band of tissues contracting the finger. The needle is inserted through your numbed finger, and no large incision is made. The needling procedure can be done in your hand surgeon’s office.
Injections
To soften and flatten the lump, your hand surgeon may also inject a steroid into your affected area. The cortisone shot not only eases the symptoms like nodule pain but, in some cases, may also stop your condition from worsening.
Besides cortisone, your hand surgeon may also inject a special enzyme called collagenase into the lump and cord to soften them. Following a few days of enzyme injection, the hand is moved in a certain way to break up the cord and straighten your finger.
Surgery
Surgery is recommended as a last-resort treatment for those with severe symptoms. During the surgery, the tissue that is bending your finger is removed. In some severe cases, the skin attached to the thickened tissues is also removed, and a skin graft is used to cover the open wound.
Dupuytren Contracture Treatment in Miami Lakes and Plantation, FL
If your hand or wrist problem is interfering with your daily activities and you are seeking a lasting solution, visit us here at the Orthopaedic Hand and Arm Center. Our highly skilled and board-certified hand surgeon Dr. Tosca Kinchelow is committed to providing you with advanced orthopedic care so that you can get back to your daily activities as quickly as safely possible.
To make an appointment with our hand surgeon, call us today at (954) 635-5300, or use our convenient Request an Appointment form to arrange your visit.
