Can’t Straighten Your Fingers? Dupuytren’s Disease May Be the Cause
Can’t Straighten Your Fingers? Dupuytren’s Disease May Be the Cause
If you've noticed a lump in the palm of your hand or have trouble straightening your fingers, you could have Dupuytren's disease. While the condition is common, many people have never heard of it.
Dupuytren's disease causes thickened tissue to form beneath the skin of the palm. Over time, that tissue can tighten and pull one or more fingers into a bent position. As the condition progresses, it may become difficult—or impossible—to fully straighten the affected fingers.
“About 5% of people in the United States at some point will have some element of Dupuytren's disease,” says Shaun Mendenhall, MD, section head of hand surgery in the Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at University of Utah Health. “It could happen to anybody of almost any age.”
Who Is at Risk for Dupuytren’s Disease?
Genetics play a major role in who develops Dupuytren's disease. The condition is most common in men of Northern European ancestry and often appears between ages 40 and 60.
However, the disease doesn't affect everyone the same way.
“Somebody could get a little nodule and it may never progress into anything else,” Mendenhall says. “Some people are rapid progressors, and this could become debilitating within a short period of time.”
Early Signs to Watch For
The first signs of Dupuytren's disease are often easy to overlook.
You may notice:
- Small lumps or bumps in the palm
- Pits or dimples in hand around the base of the ring and small finger
- Thickened cords of tissue beneath the skin
These changes happen when fibrous tissue in the hand grows abnormally and begins to contract. As the tissue shortens, it can form rope-like cords that gradually pull the fingers toward the palm.
When the condition becomes more advanced, everyday tasks can become difficult.
“Obviously, from a functional standpoint, that could be devastating. You can't put your hand in your pocket or into a glove, or you can't get your hand around something large like a soda can. Sometimes you even poke yourself in the face when you try to wash it.”
Dupuytren's Treatment Options
For many years, surgery was the primary treatment for advanced Dupuytren's disease. Today, patients may benefit from a less invasive option.
A medication can be injected into the hands that breaks up the collagen and allows the fingers to be straightened.
“It ruptures those cords, and it enables them to have straight fingers again," Mendenhall says. “This is one of the biggest medical advancements for the condition since it was first described by Guillaume Dupuytren in 1834.”
In some cases, surgery is the best treatment option.
One minimally invasive procedure uses a needle to break apart the tissue causing the fingers to bend. More advanced cases may require surgery to remove the abnormal tissue through an incision in the palm.
“Patients tend to do quite well after surgery, but it is a significant surgery that requires splinting and hand therapy afterwards,” Mendenhall says.
Don’t Wait to Get Evaluated
The goal of treatment is to maintain hand function and prevent worsening deformity. That's why early evaluation is important.
If you notice lumps, pits, or tightness in your palm, consider seeing a hand specialist before the condition progresses.
"Make an appointment with a hand specialist," Mendenhall says. "Get evaluated so you know how bad the situation is. Then your doctor can work with you to get the function back in the hand."
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