Dupuytren’s disease is a condition caused by a thickening of the connective tissue between your fingers and the palm of your hand, causing a tightening and contraction of one or more of the fingers of your hand toward your palm. It is named after Guillaume Dupuytren, a surgeon who described the condition in 1831. It tends to afflict people after the age of 40, though it is not limited to such people. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you might be experiencing Dupuytren’s disease.
Initial Symptoms
The first symptom for many patients is the appearance of a lump or lumps under the skin on the palm of the hand. These lumps may feel mildly sore at first, though this tends to go away after time. As the condition progresses, the skin may begin to tighten, curling one or more fingers inward toward the palm.
Advanced Symptoms
As the condition continues to worsen, it may become more and more difficult to straighten the fingers, perhaps even reaching the point where straightening them is impossible. You might find it difficult to pick up objects or to place your hands in your pockets to retrieve things. Generally, the disease will affect the ring and pinky fingers, though in some cases the middle and index fingers might also be affected.
Causes and Treatment
No one knows exactly what causes the condition, but it seems to have a higher incidence among those who drink large amounts of alcohol, those who use tobacco, and those who have diabetes. Often hand surgery is the best course of action for those with serious conditions.
If you suffer from Dupuytren’s disease, don’t let it affect the quality of your life. The experts at Michigan Hand and Wrist are here to help you explore your options for fixing the condition, including working with an orthopedic surgeon to return your hand to normal. Contact us today to learn how we can help!