Dupuytren’s disease (also referred to as Dupuytren's contracture) is a common condition that usually arises in middle age or later and is more common in men than women. Firm nodules appear in the ligaments just beneath the skin of the palm of the hand, and in some cases they extend to form cords that can prevent the finger straightening completely. The nodules and cords may be associated with small pits in the skin. It may also be associated with scar tissue lumps in the back of knuckle joints, the feet or the penis.
Why does it occur?
The cause is unknown, but it is more common in Northern Europe than elsewhere and it often runs in families, it was once believed to be linked to the Vikings ancestry. Dupuytren's disease may be associated with diabetes, smoking and high alcohol consumption, but many affected people have none of these. It does not appear to be associated with manual work. It occasionally appears after injury to the hand or wrist, or after surgery to these areas.
What are the symptoms?
In early stages of Dupuytren's disease, known as the "proliferative phase", it begins with nodules in the palm, often in line with the ring finger. The nodules are sometimes uncomfortable on pressure in these stages. In about one affected person out of every three, the nodules extend to form cords that pull the finger towards the palm and prevent it straightening fully. Without treatment, one or more fingers may become fixed in a bent position. The web between thumb and index finger is sometimes narrowed. Contracture of fingers is usually slow, occurring over months and years rather than weeks. In advanced stages, patients may complain of difficulty; washing their face, wearing gloves, using computers or playing musical instruments. If you begin to experience any difficulties, you should seek further advice.
What is the treatment?
There is no cure. Surgery can usually make bent fingers straighter, though not always fully straight; it cannot eradicate the disease. Over the longer term, Dupuytren's disease may reappear in operated digits or in previously uninvolved areas of the hand. But most patients who require surgery need only one operation during their lifetime. Published evidence does not support the use of radiotherapy. Injection of collagenase is helpful in some cases. Your doctor can discuss the indications, current evidence, risks and benefits for the use of collagenase injections. Most insurance companies now approve it. The main difference between collagenase injection and surgery is the recovery time. One is able to fully use the hand within a few days after injection and 6-12 weeks after surgery. Several injections may be needed if multiple joints are contracted.
Intervention is not needed if fingers can be straightened fully. It is likely to be helpful when it has become impossible to put the hand flat on a table, and should be discussed with a surgeon at this stage. The surgeon can advise on the type of intervention best suited to the individual, and on its timing. The procedure maybe carried out under local, regional (injection of local anaesthetic at the shoulder) or general anaesthetic.
Surgical options are:
- Fasciotomy - The contracted cord of Dupuytren’s disease is simply cut in the palm, in the finger or in both, using a small knife or a needle (needle fasciotomy).
- Segmental fasciectomy - Short segments of the cord are removed through one or more small incisions.
- Regional fasciectomy - Through a single longer incision, the entire cord is removed. This is the most common operation.
- Dermofasciectomy - The cord is removed together with the overlying skin and the skin is replaced with a graft taken usually from the upper arm or groin. This procedure is usually undertaken for recurrent disease, or for extensive disease in a younger individual.
Can I receive collagenase injection, Xiapex?
Sadly, the manufacturers of the collagenase injection have withdrawn the drug from use for dupuytren's disease. However, the British Society of Surgery of the Hand in its recent Newsletter (October 2020) suggested importing an equivalent drug to the UK from USA through Mawdsleys Unlicensed Medicines portal. This process has the provisional approval of UK regulatory agency, the MHRA.
How long will it to take to recover from Dupuytren's surgery?
Recovery from dupuytren’s surgery really depends on the treatment modality offered. Patients with needle aponeurotomy (a procedure done under local anaesthesia) can potentially go back to work the following day, whilst patients undergoing dermofasciectomy plus full thickness skin graft may take as long as four to six weeks to return to work, depending on their type of employment.
After surgery, the hand may be fitted with a splint to be worn at night and a hand therapist may help with rehabilitation of the hand. The recovery is variable with regard to the degree of improvement achieved and the time to achieve the final position. The final outcome is dependent on many factors including the extent and behaviour of the disease itself and the type of surgery required.