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Friday 26 August 2016
Dupuytren’s disease affecting the hand is a progressive and potentially debilitating condition commonly encountered in the Australian adult population. In most cases, patients learn to live with it, until such time when it begins to intrude upon their activities of daily living. In this article Dr Raymond Goh takes a look at the anatomical basis of the condition, and the various treatment options available. What is Dupuytren’s Contracture of the hand?It’s fixed flexion contracture of the hand due to palmar fibromatosis. Although most commonly limited to the hand, Dupuytren’s disease can have related conditions such as Peyronie’s disease (of the penis), plantar fibromatosis (of the foot), and Garrod’s pads (of the knuckles). There are no specific causes of the condition; however, a well-known risk factor is its linkage to Scandinavian “Viking” heritage.
What are the clinical features? The disease often begins innocuously as nodules in the palm of the hand. This progresses to development of hard cords along the finger, which “contracts” to form flexion deformities of the affected finger. With an inability to extend fully, this often causes the affected finger to “get in the way” of activities.
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