What is Dupuytren's disease?
Dupuytren's disease is a genetic disease that commonly affects the hands and, less commonly, the feet. It causes lumps to form in the palm and cords to form under the skin into the fingers. The fingers are slowly pulled into the palm.
How do you get Dupuytren's disease?
This is a genetic condition which means that it is inherited from parents, grandparents or great-grandparents. Tobacco and alcohol use increase the risk of developing the disease.
What are the symptoms and signs of Dupuytren's disease?
The classical signs of Dupuytren's disease are lumps and cords that pull the fingers down into the palm. Some people may have lumps on their knuckles also. The lumps can be painful.
What is the treatment for Dupuytren's disease?
The gold standard of treatment is surgery. There are many surgical options including using a needle to cut a cord, to cutting out a cord completely and, in rare cases, inserting a skin graft to prevent recurrence of the disease.
What is the recovery time from surgery?
Most patients return to their daily activities including driving within two weeks after surgery. We recommend patients to keep the wounds dry for 12 days. A splint must be worn every night for 8 weeks.