Experiences with
Dupuytren's contracture

Check if you have Dupuytren's contracture

Dupuytren's contracture mainly affects the ring and little fingers. It's common to have it in both hands at the same time.

It tends to get slowly worse over many months or years.

It's not usually painful, but it can affect how you use your hand.

It starts with lumps, dimples or ridges on your palm.

Eventually, 1 or more of your fingers may get stuck in a bent position.

1 or more of your fingers are bent and:

you cannot put your hand down flat
you're having difficulty with daily activities

Treatments for Dupuytren's contracture

Dupuytren's contracture does not usually need any treatment in the early stages.

If it's severe and you cannot straighten your fingers or use your hand normally, a GP may refer you to a specialist for treatment.

The specialist will explain what the benefits and risks of each treatment option are. They'll tell you what to expect afterwards, including advice on exercises to do.

Your finger may not be completely straight after treatment, and might not be as strong and flexible as it used to be.

The contracture could also come back after a few years.

There are 3 main types of treatment:

surgery to remove the affected tissue in the hand (fasciectomy)
using a needle to make small cuts in the affected tissue (needle fasciotomy)
surgery to remove the affected tissue and skin (dermofasciectomy)

Causes of Dupuytren's contracture

Dupuytren's contracture happens when the tissue under the skin near your fingers becomes thicker and less flexible.

The exact cause is unknown, but it's been linked to:

having a family history of the condition
smoking
drinking lots of alcohol
having diabetes or epilepsy

It's not known if you can prevent it or stop it coming back.

SymptomsMedical treatmentsCauses

Symptoms of Dupuytren's contracture start with lumps or ridges on your palm. Over time, 1 or more fingers bend and may get stuck in a bent position.

Dupuytren's contracture may not need treatment in the early stages. If it's severe, it can be treated with surgery to straighten the fingers.

It's not known exactly what causes Dupuytren's contracture. You're more at risk if you have a family history of the condition, smoke or have diabetes.

Related links

Dupuytren's contracture

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8 public posts

Heberden's Nodes on hands

I also have Dupuytrens Contracture in both palms and loads of hard lumps at the BACK of my finger joints, palm-side, inside the creases, as well as some hard lumps at the sides of my thumb knuckles and on the pads of my index fingers. Has anyone else got Heberden's nodes in the same place?

I also have Dupuytrens Contracture in both palms and loads of hard lumps at the BACK of my finger joints, palm-side, inside the creases, as well as some hard lumps at the sides of my thumb knuckles and on the pads of my index fingers. Has anyone else got Heberden's nodes in the same place?

in Osteoarthritis Action

6 months ago

Hypothyroidism and levothyroxine treatment only inadequate?

I am now on T3 but not optimal yet although much better than I was on the levo.I had to go to hospital appointment regarding my dupuytrens contracture, and the doctor, who was going through my medications list, asked why I wasn't on levothyroxine.

I am now on T3 but not optimal yet although much better than I was on the levo.I had to go to hospital appointment regarding my dupuytrens contracture, and the doctor, who was going through my medications list, asked why I wasn't on levothyroxine.

1 year ago

Dupuytrens contracture and PMR

This may seem a silly question but is the condition of Dupuytrens contracture linked in any way to PMR ? I have done a bit of research and it would seem both conditions are linked to genetics particularly in the northern Hemisphere . Some medical staff even call this 'The Viking disease' !!!!!

This may seem a silly question but is the condition of Dupuytrens contracture linked in any way to PMR ? I have done a bit of research and it would seem both conditions are linked to genetics particularly in the northern Hemisphere . Some medical staff even call this 'The Viking disease' !!!!!

1 year ago

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Pain in my hands since, possibly, reaching 0mg Pred

(Practice kind-of agreed by GP) New' pain has recently emerged in my hands - which, as the result of correspondence on this forum a while ago, I have self-diagnosed as the beginnings of Dupuytrens Disease or Contracture. One morning when I woke this pain was there with no previous warning..

(Practice kind-of agreed by GP) New' pain has recently emerged in my hands - which, as the result of correspondence on this forum a while ago, I have self-diagnosed as the beginnings of Dupuytrens Disease or Contracture. One morning when I woke this pain was there with no previous warning..

2 years ago

Anyone with RA or RA SYMPTOMS AND CARPAL TUNNEL?

I have recently displayed the onset of Dupuytrens Contracture in both hands which runs in my family. My question is the validly of an op for CT when my hands hurt all the time from RA anyway? Any feed back from RA suffers with this condition would be appropriate thank you.

I have recently displayed the onset of Dupuytrens Contracture in both hands which runs in my family. My question is the validly of an op for CT when my hands hurt all the time from RA anyway? Any feed back from RA suffers with this condition would be appropriate thank you.

3 years ago

Depuytrens Contracture

Does anyone know if there's a connection between Dupuytren's contracture and PA? Dupuytrens is also called The Viking disease, sounds like I’m going to get big and blond!

Does anyone know if there's a connection between Dupuytren's contracture and PA? Dupuytrens is also called The Viking disease, sounds like I’m going to get big and blond!

in Pernicious Anaemia Society

4 years ago

Dupuytrens Contracture

I recently saw a cll thread talking about Dupuytrens Contracture. I came across DC in the context of family history - it is believed to be genetic and related to Viking ancestry. Several distantly related family members have this condition in their family.

I recently saw a cll thread talking about Dupuytrens Contracture. I came across DC in the context of family history - it is believed to be genetic and related to Viking ancestry. Several distantly related family members have this condition in their family.

11 years ago

Anyone have dupuytrens contracture of the hand? or relatives affected?

Dupuytren's contracture, also called Dupuytren's disease, is a progressive thickening and tightening of the connective tissue in the palm. As it progresses, nodules form and become cords, which eventually pull the fingers into a bent position. Sometimes small callouse looking pads are visible on the

Dupuytren's contracture, also called Dupuytren's disease, is a progressive thickening and tightening of the connective tissue in the palm. As it progresses, nodules form and become cords, which eventually pull the fingers into a bent position. Sometimes small callouse looking pads are visible on the

in PBC Foundation

12 years ago