A :
B :
C :
D :
E :
F :
G :
H :
I :
J :
K :
L :
M :
N :
O :
P :
Q :
R :
S :
T :
U :
V :
W :
X :
Y :
Z
Dupuytren' s Contracture of the Hand
Medical Questions » Dupuytren' s Contracture of the Hand
| Name: Dupuytren' s Contracture of the Hand |
| Also known as: |
| A fibrous sheet (the palmar aponeurosis) stretches under the skin of the palm to give it a smooth appearance, strength and firmness, and to protect and control the movement of the muscle tendons that cross under it to the fingers. If damaged, the palmar aponeurosis may become scarred, contract and thicken into hard lumps that can be felt under the skin. As the damage progresses, the contraction of the fibrous sheet pulls on the tendons that run underneath it to prevent their free movement. Men are affected more than twice as often as women. |
Causes of Dupuytren' s Contracture of the Hand
Unknown, but may be due to a poor blood supply to the hand (eg. diabetes), the use of vibrating tools (eg. jack hammers), injury to the hand from repeated blows (eg. catching cricket balls), and there is a tendency for the condition to occur in successive generations. |
Symptoms of Dupuytren' s Contracture of the Hand
One or more hard, fixed nodules under the skin of the palm that gradually extend lengthwise along the palm to cause discomfort and loss of finger mobility. Eventually the fingers cannot be fully extended, and contract into a claw-like appearance. The ring and little fingers are usually more severely affected than the others. |
Tests for Dupuytren' s Contracture of the Hand
None necessary. |
Treatment for Dupuytren' s Contracture of the Hand
Relatively minor operation to carefully cut away the thickened part of the palmar aponeurosis and free the tendons.
|
Complications of Dupuytren' s Contracture of the Hand of its treatment
Rarely a similar condition can occur in the sole of the foot (Ledderhose' s disease see separate entry). |
Likely Outcome of Dupuytren' s Contracture of the Hand
Without treatment there is complete loss of hand function as it contracts into a fist. Surgery very successful, but a slow recurrence after operation, which may require further surgery, is quite common. |
|
|
