Dupuytren's contracture

Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition that affects the hands and fingers. It causes one or more of the fingers (on one or both hands) to bend into the palm of the hand.

Dupuytren’s contracture is named after the French surgeon, Baron Guillaume Dupuytren, who first described and researched the condition in 1834.

Dupuytren’s contracture occurs when nodules (small growths, or lumps, of tissue) appear in the connective tissue of the palm, under the skin. Over time, the nodules can grow into cords of contracted (shortened) tissue. As the tissue contracts, it becomes difficult to fully extend the finger, which eventually becomes fixed in a permanently flexed (bent) position.

How common is Dupuytren's contracture?

Dupuytren's contracture is a fairly common condition. It tends to affect more men than women, and often occurs in later life. It can affect up to 20% of men who are over 60 years of age, and 20% of women who are over 80 years of age.

Dupuytren's contracture is most commonly found in white Europeans, and it is believed to run in families. Some other factors, such as heavy smoking, have been linked to the condition, but the exact cause is still unknown. 

Outlook

Dupuytren's contracture is benign (non-cancerous). The symptoms are often mild and painless and do not require treatment. However, it is a progressive condition that gets worse over time. If one or more fingers become permanently bent, it can make daily activities, such as buttoning up a shirt, difficult.

Surgery can be used to release the contracted finger. The affected tissue can be cut to relieve the tension in the finger, or the tissue can be removed completely. Around 12,000 of these operations are performed in the UK each year.

In some cases, the chance of Dupuytren’s contracture reoccurring after surgery is as high as 50%. However, more extensive surgery is possible if the condition returns, and further treatments are currently being researched.

Tissue

Benign