Dupuytren’s Contracture
This condition causes tissue in the palm to thicken, gradually pulling one or more fingers into a bent position.
Dupuytren’s contracture is a hand condition that occurs when tissue beneath the skin of the palm thickens and tightens over time. This can cause one or more fingers to gradually bend toward the palm, making it difficult to fully straighten them. The condition typically develops slowly and may eventually interfere with daily activities such as shaking hands, gripping objects or placing the hand flat on a surface.
Causes of Dupuytren’s Contracture
The exact cause of Dupuytren’s contracture is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors may include:
- Family history of Dupuytren’s contracture
- Older age, most commonly over 50
- Male sex
- Northern European ancestry
- Diabetes
- Smoking or heavy alcohol use (associated risk factors)
Dupuytren’s Contracture Symptoms
Symptoms often develop gradually and may include:
- Thickened or firm tissue in the palm
- Small nodules or lumps under the skin
- Pitting or indentations in the palm
- One or more fingers bending toward the palm
- Difficulty fully straightening affected fingers
- Reduced hand function in more advanced cases
Treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture
Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and how much hand function is affected. In early stages, monitoring may be appropriate. When treatment is needed, options may include:
- Observation and routine follow-up
- Hand therapy or stretching exercises (limited benefit in some cases)
- Steroid injections for painful nodules in select cases
- Enzyme injections to help break down thickened tissue
- Needle aponeurotomy (minimally invasive release of cords)
- Surgery to remove or release affected tissue in more advanced cases
Meet Our Hand, Wrist and Elbow Team
As part of the Summa Health Orthopedics Institute, our hand, wrist and elbow team is led by board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons with advanced expertise in treating these conditions and injuries. Working closely with therapists and other specialists, they provide personalized care focused on relieving pain, restoring function and helping patients get back to their daily activities.