Dupuytren’s Contracture

It wasn’t until I began working in a pain management clinic that I met patients living with Dupuytren’s Contracture. Most of the patients were older men who performed manual labor. They received corticosteroid trigger point injections every two months. However, if the injections were no longer effective, then a referral to a hand surgeon was necessary. Now, a new non-surgical treatment helps with Dupuytren’s contracture!

Check out the website where John Elway, a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, shares his story about Dupuytren’s Contracture and this new non-surgical treatment.

For now, here’s a brief overview about this painful hand condition.

Dupuytren’s contracture

● Dupuytren’s contracture is a disease that affects the soft tissue (connective tissue) of the hand.
● The third (middle finger), fourth (ring finger), and fifth (pinky) digits of the hand are affected.
● Dupuytren’s is not very common.
● It can occur at any age and is typically seen in patients of Nordic descent.
● This condition may first appear as hard nodules underneath the palm of the skin. Sometimes these nodules will go away without treatment.
● If left untreated, the hand may become deformed since the contractures become worse due to the thickening and shortening of connective tissue that cause the fingers to curl towards the palm.
● The shortening of the connective tissue makes it difficult to extend the affected fingers.
● Patients with severe contractures tend to experience burning and tenderness in the palm of their hands.

Treatment

● Please consult with your general practitioner to discuss the best treatment for your condition.