There was a hard lump that appeared on my palm about a month ago. I didn’t think much of it as I figured it was just a callous or a swell from a bump. After a few days, the lump hadn’t gone; in fact, it was making my ring finger bend in towards the palm. I did my best to straighten it out but to no avail. After doing my own research, I decided to head to my doctor’s office and try to figure out what was going on. The doctor diagnosed me with Dupuytren’s Contracture. He let me know that it is not painful, but that treatment is a must. Well, I didn’t pay too much attention because he said it wouldn’t be painful; I ignored it altogether. Well, I woke up today, and my finger and hand are hurting. I am now panicking and don’t know what to do!
We will take a look at some of the Dupuytren’s Contracture treatment options, but first, let’s look at the disease more closely.
What is Dupuytren’s Contracture?
Dupuytren’s Contracture is a condition that affects the hand and fingers. The disease starts as a hard lump or nodule on the hand. As the bump grows, it causes a pull on the hand that will make the finger bend in an unnatural way. The affected finger cannot be straightened, making the hand very difficult to use. If the condition goes untreated, it will worsen as it is progressive. In some instances, the disease may be painful, but this is most unusual. Dupuytren’s Contracture is a progressive condition, meaning that it will worsen with time if the situation is not treated.
What causes Dupuytren’s Contracture?
There is no confirmed cause of Dupuytren’s Contracture; however, the disease is connected to a person’s ancestry. Those of Northern European descent are most susceptible to the disease. This links back to the Vikings, who spread the condition as they traveled throughout Northern Europe and the British Isles. The condition was so prevalent in Vikings that it is even known as Vikings Disease. It is also more likely to affect people with British roots, mainly Celts; it is known as Celtic Hand in the British Isles. The Vikings brought the disease over to the British Isles, where it is in men over the age of 40.
There are other circumstances that make Dupuytren’s Contracture more common. People living with diabetes are more susceptible to the disease, as are those who suffer from any liver diseases. People with thyroid problems also tend to be more prone to the disease than others. There is also a connection between people with high cholesterol and contracting Dupuytren’s disease. The medication used to treat seizures caused by epilepsy make people more prone to the condition as well. Previous hand trauma is also a potential cause of Dupuytren’s Contracture.
Lifestyle choices also have an impact on the likelihood of contracting Dupuytren’s disease. The chemical imbalance caused by heavy alcohol consumption is often linked to the condition. This is also the case with people who smoke cigarettes regularly, more so than alcohol consumption.
What is the best Dupuytren’s Contracture treatment?
The most common treatment for Dupuytren’s disease is surgery. The surgery is used to remove the affected tissue, allowing the finger movement to return to normal. The surgeon makes a zigzag-shaped on the hand infected with the hardened nodule. The affected tissue causing the lump is removed, and the wound is stitched closed. The operation leaves a very distinctive and unsightly scar on the hand. Some potential side effects include itchiness, bleeding, swelling, and infection at the incision site. Recovery from surgery can take several months and will require physiotherapy in most cases. It is not uncommon for the condition to return after surgery.
A non-surgical Dupuytren’s Contracture treatment that is often used is needle aponeurotomy. In this treatment, a doctor inserts a needle into the affected hand and moved around to breakdown the infected tissue. Once the infected tissue is broken down, the movements will return to normal. Patients who have been treated with needle aponeurotomy have mentioned suffering from numbness in the hand and a tingling sensation. The procedure is said to be extremely painful.
The most effective Dupuytren’s Contracture treatment available on the market is the items available at dupuytrencure. The Dupuytrens wand is used to massage the affected hand and encourages blood flow to the affected area. This will breakdown the hardened tissue and allow the finger to be straightened. After using the Dupuytren’s wand, the Dupuytren’s tape can be applied. The tape will keep the finger straight while allowing the use of the hand. Unlike a splint, which is cumbersome and makes everyday tasks difficult to accomplish. The wand and tape are not only easy to use but also very reasonably priced.
Research contributions credited to Sadia shahid MA Industrial Biotechnology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad; Fatima Nasir MA healthcare Biotechnology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad; Dr. Madiha Khalid Clinical Pharmacist, M. Phill. clinical pharmacy Pakistan, Jeremy Madvin, MBA International Business, University of Redlands, Redlands, Ca.
