Dupuytren's disease
What is it?
Dupuytren's disease consists of a localized thickening, tending to extend, of the palmar aponeurosis, a fascial structure located beneath the skin of the palm of the hand.
It is a genetic disease, generally not painful or minimally painful, which progress can cause a retraction of the aponeurosis itself and the structures to which it is connected, and subsequent progressive rigidity in flexion of one or more fingers of the affected hand.
Which are the symptoms?
- palmar nodules and cords
- retraction in flexion of the fingers
How is it diagnosed?
The diagnosis is made by simple clinical examination during the specialist visit. It does not require instrumental examinations.
How is it treated?
In cases of even extensive thickening of the palmar fascia, in the absence of retraction in flexion of the fingers, no treatment is usually necessary.
In case of progressive retraction in flexion of the fingers, the treatment involves surgery that can be performed with different methods depending on the severity and extent of the disease.
The intervention does not require hospitalization, is performed with a local anesthesia, may be followed in some cases by the use of a brace for a few weeks and a series of physical therapy sessions.
When deciding on surgical treatment of Dupuytren's disease, it should always be considered that the disease has a rather high degree of recurrence in many of the published case reports.
The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis and does not require hospitalization.
After surgery it will be necessary to follow a rehabilitation program under the control of the hand therapist.
Where do we treat it?
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