Do I Have Dupuytren’s Contracture?
Is one or more of your fingers permanently bent towards your palm? Are you having difficulties controlling any of your fingers? If you find yourself shaking your head yes to any of those questions, you might be dealing with Dupuytren’s contracture.
Dr. Bobby Bilitsis at Prestige Health and Wellness urges individuals to speak with a professional as soon as possible to determine the cause and get treatment. Otherwise, you risk developing further complications that interfere with your quality of life.
Dupuytren’s contracture may present like:
- Permanent bending of one or more fingers toward the palm
- Small and tender lumps or nodules that appear in the palm of the hand
- Inability to lay your hand flat
Read on to learn more about Duputryen’s contracture and possible treatment options in Manhattan, New York.
What is Duputryen’s Contracture?
While most people know this condition as Duputryen’s contracture, other names include Duputryen’s disease or palmar fibromatosis. Dupuytren’s contracture occurs when connective tissue under the skin of the palm contracts and toughens over time. Fibrous nodules and cords develop, leading to permanent flexing of joints or progressive flexing of fingers. This can then lead to hand deformity and impaired hand function.
Dupuytren’s contracture is estimated to appear in 3 cases out of every 10,000 adults. This is a progressive condition, so it’s advised that patients seek the appropriate treatment as soon as possible to slow down the progression of symptoms.
Symptoms of Duputryen’s Contracture
Symptoms of Dupuytren’s contracture can interrupt an individual’s daily routines. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Small and firm lumps in the palm that are tender and/or painful
- Fingers pulled into a bent position
- Inability to lay hands flat
- Impaired hand function (inability to grasp things, put hands in certain positions, etc.)
- Pits in the skin of the hands that can become sore or lead to skin loss
Dupuytren’s Contracture: Causes and Risk Factors
While the exact cause of Dupuytren’s contracture is unknown, It’s believed that this condition is heredity. It’s also thought to be associated with cigarette smoking, alcoholism, diabetes, and medicines used to treat seizures.
Individuals may be at a greater risk of developing Dupuytren’s contracture if:
- They’re older
- Are male
- Have a Northern European or Scandinavian background
