Dupuytrens disease, alternatively known as Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition which affects your skin. It results in abnormal thickening and tightening of the elastic tissue beneath the finger and general palm area. The elastic tissue (fascia) is made up of strands of fibers that form the chords running from the palm to the finger, controlling movement.

Dupuytrens causes the cords to tighten which tenses the strands causing the finger to curl inward. This is one of the most noticeable symptoms of the Dupuytrens disease. This condition should not be taken lightly since the curling can result in a number fo hand deformities.

There are no known causes of the condition; however certain man-made factors can contribute to early onset of its symptoms. These include:

• Consumption of excessive alcohol.
• Diabetes, although not exactly a man-made factor since diabetes can be a hereditary condition.
• People suffering from epilepsy often get seizures which also increases the chances of Dupuytrens.
• Smoking is not just bad for your lungs, but can also lead to the factors that contribute to Dupuytrens.

Dupuytrens itself is a hereditary condition and is passed down through the family gene. The chances are even more increased as you get older, particularly affecting people over the age of forty.

Noticeable symptoms of Dupuytrens include:

• Formation of lumps under the skin, which are also known as nodules, which are tender and can feel very sore at first.
• Bands of inflexible tissues are formed which causes the fingers to curl inward. The curling condition is worsened over time which forces the fingers to stay curled.
• Normal day to day activities will get affected since people who are beginning to experience the first effects of Dupuytrens cannot even perform simple tasks like picking up objects or putting your hands inside pockets properly.

There are a few tests you can do on your own to understand the severity of any developing symptoms. Check and feel your palm for nodules developed, these will be tender lumps which feel sore when touched.

Check how well you can grasp anything with your hands, pinch certain items, check the feeling in your thumbs and fingers, in general, determine the movement of your fingers.

There is no known cure for the Dupuytrens disease, and the condition can be persistent for many years, causing discomfort. General treatment includes surgery and medication to heal the nodules developed, mostly corticosteroids injection recommended by medical professionals.

Dupuytrens contracture is a condition which is caused due to excess collagen accumulating in the palm of your hand. The excessive collagen leads to nodules (tender muscle lumps) and strands of muscle tissue being formed. This tissue formation leads to curling of your fingers inward, which can be a chronic condition.

There is no known or specific cause which might lead to this condition being developed. However, it has been established that Dupuytrens disease is a hereditary condition which increases your chances of developing symptoms,if any family member might have suffered from similar symptoms previously.

Treatment options are also limited when it comes to Dupuytrens disease being diagnosed. Medications and surgical treatment are the two options normally recommended by medical professionals. However alternative methods of long-term treatment include the following options.

Observation: It is imperative to understand the source of any condition since identifying a particular cause in some cases might not be possible. Observation will help determine the severity of the condition, after which viable alternatives can be explored. In medical terms, this approach is termed as “watchful waiting.”

Stretching exercises: The excess collagen accumulated limits hand movements. The condition is worsened after the fingers start curling in, making it difficult to perform simple day to day tasks. Regular stretching exercises are recommended by your physician.

Medication and injections: Medication as prescribed and the use of collagenase injection will help break down the hardened tissue from inside over time. Finger exercises will help force break this tissue accelerating the healing process and injections are recommended every alternate day for an effective course of treatment.

Minimally invasive procedure: Medical marvels are no surprises these days, with more and more effective and minimally invasive procedures being developed which are safe, inexpensive and easy to perform with comfortable recovery options. Needle aponeurotomy is such a procedure performed to provide relief from developing symptoms of Dupuytrens disease. The contractures in this procedure are severed using a needle instead of removing it completely through surgical treatments.

Surgery and salvage treatments: Surgery is the ultimate option. However, there are certain salvage treatments which are considered as the last alternative since they include procedures like joint fusion which sets the bone in a permanent state, an external fixation which helps the soft tissues stretch but can be quite painful and challenging to recover. Amputation is considered as the last option but has to be performed in certain challenging cases which is why these alternative methods are considered as the last resort.