Dupuytren's contracture: This form of arthritis causes the tissue beneath the hand to develop nodules in the fingers and palms. These lumps can cause the fingers to stick in place.
We found no protective association between rheumatoid arthritis and Dupuytren's disease.
Arthritis is common at the base of the thumb and can make it difficult for people to do normal activities like opening a bottle or turning a door knob. Dupuytren's contracture is caused by thickening of the connective tissue between the skin of the palm and the bones of the hand.
In terms of the immunological features of DD, evidence has persistently suggested the involvement of both T and B lymphocytes in DD etiology [7, 38]. As such, the disease has frequently been termed a “T-cell-mediated autoimmune disorder” [6].
Diabetes. People with diabetes have an increased risk of Dupuytren contracture. Tobacco and alcohol use. Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol both increase the risk of Dupuytren contracture.
Inflammatory infiltration of palmar tissue from Dupuytren's contracture has been reported by several authors, who concluded that Dupuytren's contracture may be a chronic inflammatory disease.
Dupuytren disease doesn't only affect the palms of the hands. People with severe involvement often show lumps on the back of their finger joints (called “Garrod pads”, “knuckle pads”, or “dorsal Dupuytren nodules”) and lumps in the arch of one or both feet (Ledderhose disease).
What causes Dupuytren's contracture? Dupuytren's contracture is believed to run in families (be hereditary). The exact cause is not known. It may be linked to cigarette smoking, alcoholism, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, or medicines used to treat seizures.
Smoking and drinking.
Hand injury and occupations that cause excessive hand wear and tear are frequently mentioned as risk factors, but they don't cause the condition. “Trauma doesn't cause Dupuytren's contracture, but it may make the condition worse and speed up the development of hand deformity,” Evans says.
Dupuytren's disease can affect any finger on the hand, but it most often appears in the ring finger. It can affect one or both hands. There may be no pain associated with the hardening of the tissue, but sometimes the tissue can swell and cause joint pain, burning, or itching.
Dupuytren's contracture complications
If left untreated, Dupuytren's contracture can be debilitating. As the condition progresses, it can limit your ability to open your hand fully, grasp small objects, or insert your hands in narrow spaces.
We observed a tendency toward changed frequencies of occurrence of central nervous system tumors, laryngeal cancer and non-melanoma skin cancers in DD families. The results of our study indicate a lack of a strong association between Dupuytren disease and familial cancer risk.
Dupuytren's contracture mainly affects the ring and little fingers. You can have it in both hands at the same time. It tends to get slowly worse over many months or years.
You may be able to get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit if you have Dupuytren's contracture caused by your work. Dupuytren's contracture is a condition where, over time, one or more fingers permanently bend in towards the palm of your hand and can no longer be straightened.
It has been claimed that striking success can be gained in the treatment of Dupu'tren's contracture of the palmar fascia by simple oral administration of vitamin E in high dosage. It has been said that, after such treatment, thickening of the fascia disappears anti contracture of the fingers is relieved.
In ages 41 to 50 years there was no apparent increase among alcoholics when compared to nonalcoholic controls of the same age. However, in ages 51 to 60 years Dupuytren's contracture was significantly increased in alcoholics when compared to controls.
Soft-tissue manipulation and massage can be especially beneficial during the early stages of Dupuytren's contracture. Due to the fact that this is often a progressive condition, there's simply no reason to wait to see if “it gets better” before booking an appointment with a chiropractor to try to manage symptoms.
A Dupuytren's contracture typically progresses very slowly, over a period of years. Signs and symptoms of the condition may include: Nodules. You may develop one or more small lumps, or nodules, in the palm of your hand.
A Dupuytren biomarker is needed to predict this on an individual basis. About 15 million Americans age 35 and older have Dupuytren disease. This accounts for 5% of the entire US population of 309 million. It accounts for 9.3% of the 163 million at-risk Americans aged 35 and older.
Dupuytren contracture is usually passed down through generations in families and is the most common inherited disorder of connective tissue. The inheritance pattern is often unclear. Some people who inherit gene changes associated with Dupuytren contracture never develop the condition.
Conclusion: Dupuytren's disease is a disease of unknown etiology. It has association with various conditions. Dupuytren's contracture has increased incidence in chronic liver disease and chronic alcoholism. It is a rare sign and poorly reported.
Dupuytren's contracture is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by fixation of the joints of certain fingers in a permanently flexed position. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) web site, its databases, and the contents thereof are copyrighted by NORD.
There are no proven ways to prevent Dupuytren's disease or limit its progress.