A Basic Guide to Get a Deep Understanding of Dupuytren’s Contracture

An overview

Are you experiencing an abnormal thickening of the tissue in your hand? This symptom is seven times more common in men than women. Therefore, getting the correct diagnosis of Dupuytren’s Contracture as early as possible will lead to treatment working more effectively without facing any side effects and burning a hole in your pocket.

What is Dupuytren’s Contracture?

Dupuytren’s Contracture is characterized by a hand deformity where the joints of one or more fingers can’t be fully straightened. It’s a syndrome of the connective tissues that support the muscles, organs, joints, skin of your body and provide strength and flexibility to the structures throughout your body.

What causes Dupuytren’s Contracture?

1. Changes in one or more genes.

2. Increased number of myofibroblasts.

3. Combination of abnormal contraction and excess type III collagen.

4. Smoking and extreme alcohol use.

5. Diabetes, thyroid problems, and high cholesterol.

What are the symptoms of Dupuytren’s Contracture?

1. Feeling extra scar tissue just under the skin.

2. Popping or clicking when you use your fingers.

3. The bending of fingers becomes more severe, limiting the finger’s motion.

4. Fingers get stiff, particularly in the morning.

5. Find it difficult to straighten your finger to get a glove on.

6. Unable to open your hands to perform everyday tasks.

7. Hands get tender and itchy.

8. Facing trouble with mobility.

9. The fingers get stuck in a bent position.

10. Pain, tenderness, or bumps in the palm at the base of your fingers.

What are the three phases of Dupuytren’s Contracture?

1. Proliferative: It leads to increased absorption of micro myofibroblasts and fibroblasts organized in a whorled way.

2. Involution: it leads to alignment in the longitudinal axis of your hand along with the lines of tension.

3. Residual: it leads to contracture deformity.

What can be done to reduce the symptoms of Dupuytren’s Contracture?

There are two ways to get rid of the condition. It includes surgical and non-surgical methods. Non-surgical methods are considered the best way to eliminate Dupuytren’s Contracture symptoms, as they don’t cause any side effects.

Here are some of the top non-surgical ways:-

1. Apply heat to the palms of your hand before massage or exercise to lose the tissues.

2. Performing stretching exercises regularly, such as bending your fingers away from your palm, are helpful.

3. Steroids and vitamin E are also known to reduce the symptoms of Dupuytren’s Contracture.

4. Massage the thickened tissues of your palm without putting much pressure.

5. Use Dupuytren’s Wand as it effectively boosts the finger’s flexibility and range of motion.

The bottom line

If you have any symptoms, it’s vital to get checked out early. People with Dupuytren’s syndrome have a greater risk of developing other connective tissue diseases, such as Ledderhose disease, Garrod’s pads, Peyronie’s disease or, Frozen shoulder. Nevertheless, the non-surgical methods to reduce Dupuytren’s Contracture, such as Dupuytren’s wand and heat or cold therapy, are all the rage these days.