What is Dupuytrene's contracture?

Also known as Palmar fibromatosis, Dupuytrene's contracture is a condition that affects hand function. People suffering from this health problem lose some mobility of the fingers, because the ring and a small finger on the affected hands begin to curl towards the palm and cannot be straightened. Over time, the middle finger may begin to curl. Only in extremely rare situations are this disease influenced by the thumb and forefinger. As the tissue thickens, the fingers are attracted to the palm. In most cases, there is no pain in the early stages, and there are not many discomfort in advanced cases. In fact, the progress of Dupuytrene's contracture is so gradual that many people live with a condition for some time to notice that they have lost part of the normal range of movement for one or more fingers.

there is a number of risk factors associated with dupuytrene contracture. People of North European and Scandinavian origin are more likely to develop than others. Men are with thatThis suffers significantly than women. People over 40 years of age are at higher risk, as well as people who have a history of Palmar fibromatosis in a family. There is evidence that liver cirrhosis can cause this condition.

Other possible causes of dupuytrene contracture are sometimes presented, but are not widely accepted throughout the medical community. Attempts to link the disease with excessive use of alcohol, diabetes and a certain type of heavy trauma have so far proved unsuccessful. The ongoing research of these and other possible origin of the state is underway.

As regards the treatment of dupuyteren contracture, the evaluation of severity is very important. In situations where the curvature is minimal and does not prevent the individual from freeing his hand freely, there is a great chance that there will be no treatment. However, if the degree of the curve is more pronounced and is a source of distress for the patient, surgical removal of some fibrous tissue can alleviate the crossthe age of. In postoperative therapy, the patient can often recover at least part of the lost range of movement.

Further therapeutic approaches are currently being considered. There is evidence that the use of radiation therapy can be useful over time. In the United States and several other countries, injections of several drugs are also considered to help weaken gross tissue and allow the hand to relax. At present, however, surgery is still considered to be the most likely possibility in more advanced cases of dupuytrene contracture.