Treatment FAQ

when should you seek treatment for dupuytrens?

by Dr. Margie Bosco DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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If you develop a severe contracture of more than 20 to 25 degrees, it's time to consider an intervention, he says. Doctors usually recommend starting with minimally invasive nonsurgical treatment and then moving to surgical options if necessary, according to the Dupuytren Research Group.Mar 22, 2021

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Treatments for Dupuytren's contracture may include: Surgery. This is the most common treatment used for advanced cases. It may be done when you have limited use of your hand. During Dupuytren's contracture surgery, the surgeon makes a cut (incision) in your hand and takes out the thickened tissue. This can improve the mobility of your fingers.

Can Dupuytren's contracture be treated early?

When Should You Seek Treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture? Dupuytren’s contracture can affect everyday tasks such as wearing gloves and putting your hands in and out of pockets. Surgery can help relieve these annoyances; however, most patients typically do not seek treatment until they consider it a functional problem.

Where does Dupuytren’s disease affect the hand?

If you’re suffering from Dupuytren’s contracture, you should seek treatment from The Dupuytren’s Practice when you have the following: Signs of the disease in your palm – such as nodules, cords or skin retraction. Minimal or no contracture of your fingers. Worsening of symptoms over the past 12 months. If you’re suffering from Ledderhose disease, you should seek treatment from …

Do you need revision surgery for Dupuytren’s disease?

When should I seek treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture? The disease usually progresses slowly, causing mild symptoms for years. During this time, most people don’t need treatment. Once you notice thickened cords or it gets hard to straighten your fingers, it’s important to have the team at Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center examine your hand.

Can supplements help manage Dupuytren’s disease?

Jan 08, 2022 · The Xiaflex treatment cycle depends on the condition being treated. For Dupuytren's contracture, your orthopedist might administer 1-3 injections spread over four weeks. In the three days following your first injection, your provider will want to check your progress. If the cord still exists, they will try to break it by stretching your fingers.

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When should Dupuytren's contracture be treated?

But if you are unable to lay your hand flat on a table, Osei says, you will likely need to be treated. Your doctor will measure the angle of your hand relative to your fingers. If you develop a severe contracture of more than 20 to 25 degrees, it's time to consider an intervention, he says.Mar 22, 2021

Should Dupuytren's contracture be treated early?

Nonsurgical Treatment for Dupuytren's Contracture Nonsurgical treatments are often recommended at early stages of Dupuytren's or in addition to surgery. While many nonsurgical treatments have been studied, only a small number have shown a benefit. Experts may recommend stretching for the mildest forms of Dupuytren's.Jan 27, 2022

What happens if you don't treat Dupuytren's contracture?

The fascia contains strands of fibers, like cords, that run from the palm upward into the fingers. In Dupuytren's contracture, the tightening of the tissue causes the fingers to become bent down, which may become permanent if not treated.

How quickly does Dupuytren's contracture progress?

A Dupuytren's contracture typically progresses very slowly, over a period of years. Signs and symptoms of the condition may include: Nodules. You may develop one or more small lumps, or nodules, in the palm of your hand.

How serious is Dupuytren's contracture?

The condition is not dangerous. Many people don't get treatment. But treatment for Dupuytren's contracture can slow the disease or help ease your symptoms.

Can Dupuytren's contracture go away by itself?

Dupuytren's contracture is when 1 or more fingers bend in towards your palm. There's no cure, but your fingers can be straightened if it's severe.

How do you slow down Dupuytren's contracture?

Doctors may use steroid injections to ease pain or radiotherapy to help slow the progression of the disease. Enzyme injections with collagenase clostridium histolyticum or a needle aponeurotomy can help loosen the fibrous tissue in cases of moderate to severe Dupuytren's contracture.Feb 18, 2021

What makes Dupuytren's contracture worse?

Both alcohol and smoking are frequently mentioned as risk factors for Dupuytren's contracture. “The evidence for smoking is stronger than for drinking, and it makes sense because smoking, like diabetes, decreases blood supply to the hand,” Evans says.Jul 9, 2013

How do you fix Dupuytren's contracture without surgery?

XIAFLEX® is the only FDA-approved treatment for Dupuytren's contracture that does not require surgery. A hand specialist will inject this enzyme treatment directly into the cord that's causing limited mobility in the finger. The enzyme releases the cord.

What are the stages of Dupuytren's?

Dupuytren contracture progresses through three phases: (1) proliferative, (2) involution, and (3) residual.Nov 9, 2021

What does Dupuytren's contracture indicate?

Dupuytren's (du-pwe-TRANZ) contracture is a hand deformity that usually develops over years. The condition affects a layer of tissue that lies under the skin of your palm. Knots of tissue form under the skin — eventually creating a thick cord that can pull one or more fingers into a bent position.Oct 6, 2020

What diseases are associated with Dupuytren's contracture?

Dupuytren's disease is a benign, progressive fibroproliferative disease of the palmar fascia that results in flexion contractures of the involved digits and significant functional impairment. It is also associated with debilitating fibromatoses of the feet (Ledderhose disease) and the penis (Peyronie's disease).

How to tell if you have a swollen palm?

Common symptoms may include: 1 Not being able to lay your hand flat on a table, palm down (called the tabletop test) 2 One or more small, tender lumps (nodules) in the palm. Over time, the tenderness usually goes away. 3 The nodules may thicken and contract or tighten. This can cause thick bands of tissue under the skin in the palm of the hand. 4 Pits or grooves in the skin compressed by the contracted finger. These areas can become very sore and can lead to skin loss if they don’t heal properly. 5 Fingers are pulled forward 6 Your hand is not able to work as well

What is Dupuytren's contracture?

Key points about Dupuytren's contracture. Dupuytren's contracture is an abnormal thickening of the skin in the palm of the hand. The skin may develop into a hard lump. Over time it can cause 1 or more fingers to curl (contract) or pull in toward the palm. You may not be able to use your hand for certain things.

Is Dupuytren's contracture dangerous?

There is no cure for Dupuytren’s contracture. The condition is not dangerous. Many people don’t get treatment. But treatment for Dupuytren's contracture can slow the disease or help ease your symptoms. Treatments for Dupuytren's contracture may include: Surgery.

What is salvage procedure?

A salvage procedure is a treatment that is not used to fix a problem, but rather to make the situation as tolerable as possible. Some of the salvage procedures rarely performed in the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture include: 1 Joint fusion: A joint fusion is a surgery to permanently set a joint in a position and have bone grow across it so that it will never bend again. When the joint is fused, it will no longer contract, even if the Dupuytren's progresses. 10  2 External fixation: An external fixator is a device attached to the bone that can stretch soft-tissues around the joint over long time periods. In people with very contracted tissues, stretching for weeks or months may help. 10  3 Amputation: Amputation of a finger is rarely performed in Dupuytren's, but it can be helpful in the most challenging situations. Particularly in small fingers—and in people with significant limitations in the functions of the hand—removal of a digit can be helpful in some rare situations. 11 

What is collagenase injection?

Collagenase is an enzyme that is extracted from a bacteria. This enzyme is injected directly into a cord of Dupuytren's tissue and then allowed to break down the tight, contracted tissue. People who receive these injections will usually return to their doctor's office the following day after the enzyme has had an opportunity to break down the tight tissue. At that point, your physician will manipulate the finger forcefully to fully break the contracted tissue.

How to treat Dupuytren's disease?

Stretching and Injections . There used to be a time when physicians recommended stretching, splinting, and injecting cortisone into Dupuytren's tissue. In general, these treatments are, at best, only temporarily helpful and, at worst, they can actually make the condition progress more quickly.

Can you inject cortisone into Dupuytren's tissue?

There used to be a time when physicians recommended stretching, splinting, and injecting cortisone into Dupuytren's tissue. In general, these treatments are, at best, only temporarily helpful and, at worst, they can actually make the condition progress more quickly.

What is needle aponeurotomy?

Needle aponeurotomy is a minimally invasive procedure that instead of removing the contracted Dupuytren's tissue, it uses the point of a needle to sever the cords and relieve contractures. Your doctor makes small punctures in the skin, no incisions, and by manipulating the tip of the needle, cuts through the contracted tissue in several locations.

Can you amputation a finger?

Amputation: Amputation of a finger is rarely performed in Dupuytren's, but it can be helpful in the most challenging situations. Particularly in small fingers—and in people with significant limitations in the functions of the hand—removal of a digit can be helpful in some rare situations. 11 .

What is joint fusion?

Joint fusion: A joint fusion is a surgery to permanently set a joint in a position and have bone grow across it so that it will never bend again. When the joint is fused, it will no longer contract, even if the Dupuytren's progresses. 10 .

What is the best treatment for advanced hand disease?

The best option for those with advanced disease is a fasciectomy surgery, however, there is a risk of recurrence over time. During surgery, the thickened tissue is removed to relieve tension and contracture in the hand. The advantage of surgery is the removal of the knots and affected cords with a lower risk of recurrence over time ...

Who is Nicholas Smerlis?

Board certified Orthopedic hand surgeon, Nicholas A. Smerlis, MD, FAAOS, CAQSH has over a decade of experience specializing in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of the hand, wrist, and elbow. Although he specializes in surgery of the hand, not all problems need surgery. Dr. Smerlis often uses non-operative treatments such as medications, splints, injections, and hand therapy to restore function to the hand and wrist. Dr. Smerlis joined TPMG Orthopedics in June 2019 and sees patients in the Newport News and Williamsburg offices.

Can Xiaflex be used to straighten a finger?

Once the cord is weakened, the finger can be straightened in the office to provide improvement. Although, the effectiveness of this treatment is typically shorter than surgery.

What is the treatment for Dupuytren's disease?

Needle aponeurotomy, also called needling or percutaneous needle fasciotomy, is another minimally invasive treatment option for Dupuytren’s disease. This treatment option, which can be performed in your doctor’s office, involves placing a needle in the tough tissue that is causing the contracture of your fingers.

How many people have Dupuytren's contracture?

Approximately 15 million Americans have Dupuytren’s contracture. The symptoms of Dupuytren’s contracture vary depending on the progression of the disease. In the early stages, you may notice the skin of your palm thickening. As it progresses, the Dupuytren’s disease condition will change noticeably.

Is Dupuytren's disease more common in men or women?

Men: Men have a higher risk than women of developing Dupuytren’s disease. They are also more likely to develop severe cases. People with certain health conditions: Dupuytren’s contracture risk is linked to a number of different health conditions, including epilepsy and diabetes.

Is there a cure for Dupuytren's contracture?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Dupuytren’s contracture. Treatment focuses on minimizing the systems of the disease. While medical treatment is an option — and sometimes a necessity — there are a number of home remedies you can try to treat Dupuytren’s contracture: 1. Reduce Palm Pressure.

Does stretching help Dupuytren's?

Stretching does help Dupuytren’s contracture, and there a number of exercises you can do to help manage this condition. Exercises and stretches will not necessarily stop or slow the progression of the contracture, but they are helpful options during the early stages of Dupuytren’s disease:

Can you treat Dupuytren's disease at home?

Professional Treatment for Dupuytren’s Disease. Dupuytren’s disease treatment can be done to some extent at home, but there may come a time when you need to talk to a professional. The progression of the disease is slow. Some people may never experience the contracture of their fingers.

Is surgery necessary for Dupuytren's disease?

Surgery may be necessary in more severe cases of Dupuytren’s disease. When the disease progresses to the point of acute contracture that makes use of the hand difficult, minimally invasive treatment options may no longer be viable. Surgery involves making an incision and removing the diseased tissue. While surgery may be more invasive, it does have the benefit of offering a longer-lasting release of contracture.

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