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Can’t Straighten Finger

Posted on by Dr. Herazy

Is Dupuytren contracture the reason I can’t straighten my finger?

Plus put in link below the titles for testimonials etc.

Dupuytren's contracture cord can't straighten finger.Knowing a finger can’t straighten is not enough information to answer this question. However, the most likely reason a person can’t straighten their finger is Dupuytren contracture.  Other, less likely possibilities are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, trigger finger (tenosynovitis) and diabetes.  It is important to see your doctor to investigate these possibilities, and others, if there are good reasons to do so.     

Get help when a bent finger won’t straighten with safe natural treatment

Great news!  Surgery is not always necessary when a bent finger won’t straighten because of Dupuytren’s contracture.  Since 2002 the Dupuytren Contracture Institute has helped people who struggle with a bent finger won’t straighten at all.  People who closely follow the DCI treatment strategy early can do rather well.  We hear from 8-10 people who use our large treatment plan reporting they see moderate to marked reduction of their signs and symptoms of Dupuytren, for every one report of failure.

The larger the treatment plan, and the closer a person follows DCI treatment suggestions, the better the Dupuytren self-heals. When a person can’t straighten a finger from a bent position, it is time to act. For information about DCI treatment plans.

Regardless, it is important for people with Dupuytren to understand that self-repair and self-healing happen every day. People heal an unknown percent of early Dupuytren disease, and even reduce later, larger palm nodules and cords of Dupuytren’s contracture.

Our position has always been that while hand surgery is always an option, it makes sense to first attempt non-surgical treatment and therefore possibly avoid the inherent risks of surgery.

>> Dupuytren Contracture Treatment – FAQs

>> Testimonials from Dupuytren Contracture Institute

How do use natural therapy for Dupuytren’s disease?
► It’s easy.  Click on Start Dupuytren’s Treatment

Let’s explore this problem through a few questions commonly asked by people who when a finger hurts to straighten.

Is Dupuytren contracture the reason I can’t straighten my finger?

As discussed in the first paragraph, there are many reasons to explain why a finger can’t straighten.  Even so, the reader can be fairly confident the finger won’t straighten due to Dupuytren contracture when several of these risk factors are present:

  • Age 50+
  • Family descended from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, or a Scandinavian country
  • One or more family members have Dupuytren contracture
  • Musician
  • Diabetic
  • History of recent injury or surgery to upper extremities
  • History of alcohol abuse or liver disease
  • History of diabetes
  • History of heavy manual labor

Dupuytren’s disease and trigger finger

Let’s also consider in a little more detail another reason why it hurts to straighten finger stiffness:  trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis).

Trigger finger happens when the tendon that controls a finger can’t glide smoothly in the sheath that surrounds it. Two situations can cause this to happen.  One, a swollen tendon in the palm gets stuck on a narrowed part of the tendon sheath that surrounds that tendon.  Two, when the sheath becomes narrowed for some reason, like pressure caused by an abnormal DC palm lump that should not be in the palm. Any finger can display a trigger finger that suddenly locks up while in a bent position and just as          suddenly releases the hold – like pulling a trigger and it suddenly snaps free. Trigger finger can be occasional or frequent, mild or severe, locked in a bent position for a short or prolonged time, and mildly or severely painful.

It is rather common for trigger finger to develop in one or more fingers that also have Dupuytren’s contracture going on.  To say it another way, trigger finger is a common complication and can occur at the same time a finger won’t straighten due to Dupuytren’s contracture. This happens because of tissue irritation caused by the expanding palm lump and finger cord. Of course, this leads to inflammation and swelling (narrowing) of the tendon sheath.

There are a few important differences between trigger finger and Dupuytren contracture. Trigger finger has a very sudden onset.  Plus, it has a popping sound with the sudden release of the swollen tendon within the sheath covering it. In these cases, a trigger finger is normal between episodes. However, the stuck finger of Dupuytren contracture has a very slow onset. Likewise, there is no popping sound because there is no tendon release.  Lastly, the locked finger of Dupuytren contracture is constant.

>> Natural Dupuytren Contracture Treatment – FAQs

Are the Dupuytren nodules or cords a type of tumor of the hand?

No, Dupuytren’s contracture is not a cancerous tumor.   However, certain serious hand cancers can also cause hand pain, reduced finger movement and swelling.  For example, giant cell tumor and epithelioid sarcoma. For this reason, if there is a history of cancer in your family, or something about your current problem make you suspect cancer, it is wise to have your doctor evaluate your hand complaints. The true cause of a finger can’t straighten without great pain must be determined, cancer or not.

What keeps my fingers bent all the time?

Dupuytren contracture begins as a thickening of the deep tissue of the palm (palmar fascia).  This tissue is located below the skin and above the bones and tendons of the palm.  This thickened palm lump grows slowly.  Sometimes, very slowly, like many years. Eventually it develops a cord of dense tissue that attaches to a finger.  Over time, this cord shortens or contracts, causing that finger to curl down toward the palm. This reduces movement of the involved fingers. At this stage, the finger hurts to straighten.  Sooner or later, the hand takes on the appearance of a modified fist or claw.

How do use natural therapy for Dupuytren’s disease?
► It’s easy.  Click on Start Dupuytren’s Treatment

Is this why my finger can’t straighten?

Exactly.  People comment that when their Dupuytren contracture started up, they can’t straighten finger without pain. This resulted in great clumsiness.  Slowly and gradually, this changes.  Soon the involved  won’t straighten out completely, eventually constricting finger movement completely.

Is this the reason my finger is bent and won’t straighten without pain?

Pain is a fairly common complaint when Dupuytren contracture begins, often described as constant stinging or burning pain wherever there are lumps on the palm of the hand.  Over time, as each finger gets stuck in a constant bent position, pain becomes less frequent and less intense.

Generally, Dupuytren contracture is not a very painful condition.  Dupuytren’s contracture is known mostly for their bent finger won’t straighten s, (slug-here), inability to fully open the hand, as well as the palm lumps. When pain is a major issue with Dupuytren’s contracture it is because the growing and contracting collagen tissue is pressing on, or wrapping around, nerve tissue in the palm.

Bent pinky finger

Posted on by Dr. Herazy

Why do I have a bent pinky finger, and it won’t straighten out?

Bent pinky finger is a little finger stays bent and won't straighten. This picture shows a pinky finger stays bent with or without pain. Based on the single finding of a bent pinky finger, no confident answer to this question is possible. However, the most likely reason for a bent pinky finger is Dupuytren contracture.  Other, less likely possibilities are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, trigger finger (tenosynovitis) and diabetes.  It might be important to see your doctor to investigate these other possibilities if your personal history and situation indicates it is necessary.

Straighten that bent pinky finger with safe natural treatment

Great news!  Surgery is not always necessary to straighten a bent pink finger that is so common with  Dupuytren’s contracture.  Since 2002 the Dupuytren Contracture Institute has helped people when the little finger won’t straighten.  People who closely follow the DCI treatment strategy early can do rather well with it. We hear from 8-10 people who use our large treatment plan reporting they see moderate to marked reduction of their signs and symptoms of Dupuytren, for every one report of failure.

We find that the larger the treatment plan, and the closer a person follows DCI treatment suggestions, the better the Dupuytren self-heals. For information about DCI treatment plans.

Regardless, it is important for people with Dupuytren to understand that self-repair and self-healing happen every day. People heal an unknown percent of early Dupuytren disease, and even reduce later, larger palm nodules and cords of Dupuytren’s contracture.

Our position has always been that while hand surgery is always an option, it makes sense to first attempt non-surgical treatment and therefore possibly avoid the inherent risks of surgery.

How do use natural therapy for Dupuytren’s disease?
► It’s easy.  Click on Start Dupuytren’s Treatment

Let’s explore this problem through a few questions commonly asked by people who want to know more about their bent pinky.  Anyone who can say “my pinky finger is bent and it won’t straighten” knows the frustration of dealing with this kind of problem.

How do I know it is Dupuytren that is causing my bent pinky finger? 

First of all, there is one big reason to believe a bent little finger in particular is due to Dupuytren’s contracture.  The two fingers most commonly affected by DC, by far, are the pinky finger and the ring finger.  Of these two, the little finger is most common.

As discussed in the first paragraph, there are many possible reasons a pinky finger stays bent. Even so, the reader can be fairly confident the bent pinky due to Dupuytren contracture when several of these risk factors are present:

  • Age 50+
  • Family descended from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, or a Scandinavian country
  • One or more family members have Dupuytren contracture
  • Musician
  • Diabetic
  • History of recent injury or surgery to upper extremities
  • History of alcohol abuse or liver disease
  • History of diabetes
  • History of heavy manual labor

Dupuytren’s disease and trigger finger

Let’s also consider in more detail another reason why a bent pinky finger develops:  trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis).

Trigger finger happens when the tendon that controls a finger can’t glide smoothly in the sheath that surrounds it.   Two situations can cause this.  One, a swollen tendon gets stuck on a narrowed part of the tendon sheath.  Two, when the sheath becomes narrowed for some reason, like pressure caused by an abnormal DC palm lump. Any finger can be a trigger finger that suddenly locks up in a bent position, and just as suddenly releases the hold.  Just like pulling a trigger and it suddenly snaps free. Trigger finger can be occasional or frequent, mild or severe, locked in a bent position for a short or prolonged time, and mildly or severely painful.

It is rather common for trigger finger to develop in one or more fingers that also have Dupuytren’s contracture going on.  To say it another way, trigger finger is a common complication and can occur at the same time as Dupuytren’s contracture. This happens because of tissue irritation caused by the expanding palm lump and finger cord. Of course, this leads to inflammation and swelling (narrowing) of the tendon sheath. Trigger finger and a bent pinky finger are a direct result of these tissue changes.

There are a few important differences between trigger finger and Dupuytren contracture. Trigger finger has a very sudden onset.  Plus, it has a popping sound with the sudden release of the swollen tendon within the sheath covering it. In these cases, a trigger finger is normal between episodes. However, the stuck finger of Dupuytren contracture has a very slow onset. Likewise, there is no popping sound because there is no tendon release.  Lastly, the locked finger of Dupuytren contracture is constant.

>> Natural Dupuytren Contracture Treatment – FAQs

Are Dupuytren nodules or cords a type of tumor of the hand?

No, Dupuytren’s contracture is not a cancerous tumor.   However, certain serious hand cancers can also cause hand pain, reduced finger movement and swelling.  For example, giant cell tumor and epithelioid sarcoma. For this reason, if there is a history of cancer in your family, or something about your current problem makes you suspect cancer, it is wise to have your doctor evaluate your hand complaints. The true cause of a bent little finger can be determined, cancer or not.

What keeps my pinky fingers bent all the time?

Dupuytren contracture begins as a thickening of the deep tissue of the palm (palmar fascia).  This tissue is located below the skin and above the bones and tendons of the palm.  This thickened palm tissue slowly grows, and as it does it develops a cord of dense tissue that attaches to a finger.  Over time, this cord shortens or contracts, causing that finger to curl down toward the palm. This reduces movement of the little fingers. At this stage, the finger pinky fingers won’t straighten. Eventually, the hand takes on the appearance of a modified fist or claw.

How do use natural therapy for Dupuytren’s disease?
► It’s easy.  Click on Start Dupuytren’s Treatment

Is this why my pinky finger is bent?

Exactly.  People comment that when their Dupuytren contracture started up, they had a bent pinky finger  without any pain. This resulted in great clumsiness.  Slowly and gradually, this changes.  Soon the involved little finger stays bent and can’t straighten out completely.

Is this why my bent little finger does not hurt me?

Pain is a fairly common complaint when Dupuytren contracture begins. Early on, it is often described as constant stinging or burning pain wherever there are lumps on the palm.  Over time, as each finger stays stuck in a constant bent position, pain becomes less frequent and less intense.

Generally, Dupuytren contracture is not a very painful condition.  Dupuytren’s contracture is known mostly for the bent fingers,, inability to fully open the hand, as well as the palm lumps. When pain is a major issue with Dupuytren’s contracture it is because the growing and contracting collagen tissue is pressing on, or wrapping around, nerve tissue in the palm.

Bent Finger

Posted on by Dr. Herazy

Why do I have a bent finger that won’t straighten?  

Bent finger of Dupuytren contracture of left hand, showing cord and advanced flexion of ring finger. Bent fingers cause difficulty doing common tasks. Based on the single finding of a bent finger that won’t straighten, no confident answer is possible. However, the most frequent and most likely reason for a stuck bent finger is Dupuytren contracture.  Other, less likely, possibilities are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, trigger finger (tenosynovitis) and diabetes. It might be important to see your doctor to investigate these other possibilities if there are good reasons to do so.     

Eliminate a bent finger with safe natural treatment

Great news!  Surgery is not always necessary to straighten a bent finger that comes with Dupuytren’s contracture.  Since 2002 the Dupuytren Contracture Institute has helped people who struggle with one or more bent fingers relates to DC.  People who closely follow the DCI treatment strategy early can do rather well. Even those who can’t straight finger at all. We hear from 8-10 people who use our large treatment plan reporting they see moderate to marked reduction of their signs and symptoms of Dupuytren, for every one report of failure.

We find that the larger the treatment plan, and the closer a person follows DCI treatment suggestions, the better the Dupuytren self-heals. For information about DCI treatment plans.

Regardless, it is important for people with Dupuytren to understand that self-repair and self-healing happen every day. People heal an unknown percent of early Dupuytren disease, and even reduce later, larger palm nodules and cords of Dupuytren’s contracture.

Our position has always been that while hand surgery is always an option, it makes sense to first attempt non-surgical treatment and therefore possibly avoid the inherent risks of surgery.

How to use natural therapy for Dupuytren’s disease?
► It’s easy.  Click on Start Dupuytren’s Treatment

Let’s explore this problem through a few questions commonly asked by people who want to know more about their bent finger.

How do I know it is Dupuytren that is causing my bent finger? 

As discussed in the first paragraph, there are many reasons to explain why a bent finger won’t straighten. Even so, the reader can be fairly confident a stuck bent finger is due to Dupuytren contracture when several of these risk factors are present:

  • Age 50+
  • Family descended from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, or a Scandinavian country
  • One or more family members have Dupuytren contracture
  • Musician
  • Diabetic
  • History of recent injury or surgery to upper extremities
  • History of alcohol abuse or liver disease
  • History of diabetes
  • History of heavy manual labor

Dupuytren’s disease and trigger finger

Let’s also consider in a little more detail another reason why a finger stays bent:  trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis).

Trigger finger happens when the tendon that controls a finger can’t glide smoothly in the sheath that surrounds it.   Two situations can cause this to happen.  One, a swollen tendon in the palm gets stuck on a narrowed part of the tendon sheath that surrounds that tendon.  Two, when the sheath becomes narrowed for some reason, like pressure caused by an abnormal DC palm lump that should not be in the palm.  Any finger can display a trigger finger that suddenly locks up while in a bent position and just as suddenly releases the hold – like pulling a trigger and it suddenly snaps free. Trigger finger can be occasional or frequent, mild or severe, locked in a bent position for a short or prolonged time, and mildly or severely painful.

It is rather common for trigger finger to develop in one or more fingers that also have Dupuytren’s contracture going on.  To say it another way, trigger finger is a common complication and can occur at the same time as Dupuytren’s contracture. This happens because of tissue irritation caused by the expanding palm lump and finger cord. Of course, this leads to inflammation and swelling (narrowing) of the tendon sheath.

There are a few important differences between trigger finger and Dupuytren contracture. Trigger finger has a very sudden onset.  Plus, it has a popping sound with the sudden release of the swollen tendon within the sheath covering it. In these cases, a trigger finger is normal between episodes. However, the stuck finger of Dupuytren contracture has a very slow onset. Likewise, there is no popping sound because there is no tendon release.  Lastly, the locked finger of Dupuytren contracture is constant.

>> Natural Dupuytren Contracture Treatment – FAQs

Are Dupuytren nodules or cords a type of tumor of the hand?

No, Dupuytren’s contracture is not a cancerous tumor.   However, certain serious hand cancers can also cause hand pain, reduced finger movement and swelling.  For example, giant cell tumor and epithelioid sarcoma. For this reason, if there is a history of cancer in your family, or something about your current problem make you suspect cancer, it is wise to have your doctor evaluate your hand complaints. The true cause of a constantly bent finger that can’t be straightened, cancer or not.

What keeps my finger bent all the time?

Short answer: the Dupuytren’s cords keep the fingers bent constantly, like they are tied down in a curled position.

Dupuytren contracture begins as a thickening of the deep tissue of the palm (palmar fascia).  This tissue is located below the skin and above the bones and tendons of the palm.  This thickened palm tissue slowly grows, and as it does it develops a cord of dense tissue that attaches to a finger.  Over time, this cord shortens or contracts, causing that finger to curl down toward the palm. This reduces movement of the involved fingers. At this stage, the finger stays bent.  Eventually, if more than one finger is involved, the hand takes on the appearance of a modified fist or claw.

Use natural therapy for Dupuytren’s disease?
► It’s easy.  Click on Start Dupuytren’s Treatment

Why is my finger bent and why did it stop hurting?

People comment that when their Dupuytren contracture started up, they had a flexed finger and it was fairly painful. This resulted in great clumsiness. Slowly and gradually, this changed.  Soon the involved won’t straighten out completely, eventually constricting finger movement completely, and the pain stopped.

Is this the reason I have a bent finger without pain?

Pain is a fairly common complaint when Dupuytren contracture begins, often described as constant stinging or burning pain wherever there are lumps on the palm of the hand.  Over time, as each finger gets stuck in a constant bent position, pain becomes less frequent and less intense.

Generally, Dupuytren contracture is not a very painful condition.  Dupuytren’s contracture is known mostly for the bent fingers, inability to fully open the hand, as well as the palm lumps. When pain is a major issue with Dupuytren’s contracture it is because the growing and contracting collagen tissue is pressing on, or wrapping around, nerve tissue in the palm.      

Garrod’s Pads Treatment and Dupuytren’s Contracture

Posted on by Dr. Herazy

Garrod’s Pads Treatment 

>> Testimonials for Dupuytren Contracture Institute

>> Dupuytren Contracture Treatment – FAQs

Garrod’s pads and Dupuytren’s contracture treatment

Garrod's pads are often associated with Dupuytren's contracture. Garrod's knuckle pads are a fibromatosis of the hand. They are also called Dupuytren nodules, and safely treated with natural alternative medicine and no side effects. Since 2002, Dupuytren’s Contracture Institute has worked with over 800 people whose primary complaint was Garrod’s pads. In addition, DCI notes that Garrod’s knuckle pads occur in combination with Dupuytren’s contracture in 20-30% of people who come to DCI for help.  Combined, these two groups total of over 2,000 people with Garrod’s pads who have used DCI treatment. They totally eliminated or significantly reduced their knuckle deformity, or at least eliminated all pain and limitation it causes.

Based on the reports of natural treatment progress from people DCI works with, the results are very good to excellent.  DCI receives 8-10 reports of moderate to marked improvement of palm lumps and cords for each failure reported, when using the DCI large treatment plan. Improvement of dense and painful knuckle pads is even better. In fact, we often tell people that Garrod’s pads typically improve before they notice a change in their DC.

Start  Dupuytren’s contracture treatment  

Usually, people who use a large DCI treatment plan report that their Garrod’s pads respond faster than their Dupuytren’s contracture.

The typical Garrod’s knuckle pad responds to the large DCI treatment plan by becoming smaller, softer, less painful, less dark, as well as the fingers feeling less stiff and painful, in a few weeks. Rarely do we work with someone whose Garrod’s nodules show some degree or type of improvement.  How long treatment takes to reach complete and final improvement depends on a variety of factors like genetic predisposition, severity, age of the individual, duration, if hand surgery was used previously, etc.

While a few got a small amount of improvement, most benefitted to a moderate to great degree. Of course, all treatment was safe and natural. Without drugs or surgery, and no side effects.

About Garrod’s knuckle pads

Typically, Garrod’s knuckle pads are well-defined and smooth lumps or thickening on the dorsal (back) of one or more finger joints.  Garrod’s nodules or pads are a form of fibromatosis (excess collagen and fibrin production), just like Dupuytren’s contracture (palmar fibromatosis), Ledderhose syndrome (plantar fibromatosis) and Peyronie’s disease (penile fibromatosis).

Our records show every person with Garrod’s pads benefitted in some way by our natural treatment methods.

Start  Dupuytren’s contracture treatment  

Clinical features

A history of repetitive injury to this part of the hand from work or sports activity is often present.  However, it sometimes happens that Garrod’s knuckles develop without any physical explanation.

Knuckle pads can look like calluses on the skin, where the skin thickens and loses its elasticity. The cause of Garrod’s pads is excess fibrous tissue (collagen and fibrin) in or under the skin. Because this problem is a fibromatosis of the fingers, it usually runs in families, but can also appear as a sporadic occurrence.

Garrod’s pads can appear in one or both hands, at any or all fingers, one joint or many.

They mainly affect the PIP finger joint (joint closest to the hand).  Less often they appear at a knuckle (MCP or metacarpophalangeal/first joint) or distal interphalangeal (DIP/third) joint of a finger. In severe cases, this dark, raised and rough tissue can also appear away from the knuckles, on the sides of the hand or elsewhere on the upper extremity.  Some clinicians even apply the name to other parts of the body.  Although the hands are by far most commonly affected, other areas and joints, such as the feet and knees, may be involved.

When appearing along with Dupuytren’s contracture, Garrod pads usually suggests a more aggressive form of the Dupuytren disease problem.

In the U.S and the rest of the world knuckle pads are a common occurrence.  The prevalence of knuckle pads is difficult to determine because this problem often does not cause physical symptoms.  Thus, people do not often seek medical care for them. Knuckle pads can be present in any age group, with the most common in adults 40 years of age and older, especially males who engage in heavy manual labor.

Pain associated with knuckle pads

Pain associated with Garrod’s pads is greatly variable. For some people there is no pain.  Most, and for others the pain is intense and constant.  Further, for some, pain is only when touched or when the finger moves. This suggests a connection between the Garrod’s pad and the tendon sheath of the finger.

When firm, the knuckle pads or nodules may be only tender to palpation, otherwise they do not cause pain or other symptoms.   These nodules are closely adherent to the skin in Dupuytren contracture while movement of the nodule during finger flexion/extension suggests an association with the tendon sheath.

Treatment for Garrod’s pads  

Treatment for Garrod’s pad makes sense when knuckle pads cause pair or otherwise affect the use of the hand.  Surgery can be considered after safer conservative natural DCI treatment has not been successful.  Please read about the DCI treatment protocol.

Start  Dupuytren’s contracture treatment  

 

 

Dupuytren contracture recurrence after hand surgery

Posted on by Dr. Herazy

Recurrence of Dupuytren contracture is commonDupuytren contracture recurrence is the return of excessive collagen and fibrin into the palm after hand surgery.

Dupuytren contracture recurrence means that the abnormal palm and finger tissue comes back after surgical removal. For example, after surgically removing the palm lump, it grows back again.  And, after surgically straightening the bent finger to some degree, the finger cord grows back, pulling the finger down toward the palm again. This happens because this is the nature of Dupuytren disease. Excessive and spontaneous collagen production in the palm of the hand continues because surgery cannot stop it.

Recurrence of Dupuytren contracture after surgery is common and frequent.  This return of the Dupuytren contracture tissue is exactly why some people have 2-4, or more, hand surgeries. They always think the next surgery will solve their problem.

Surgeons admit that “sometimes the Dupuytren contracture returns within a few months after surgery.  Other times, it can return many years – even decades – later.”  It has been written, if a person lives long enough after hand surgery, the Dupuytren tissue will eventually return.

No Dupuytren contracture recurrence with natural treatment

Good news!  Based on reports from customers using the DCI large treatment plan, 8-10 people have moderate to marked reduction of palm lumps and finger cords, for every one who reports no change.  Since 2002, no one has ever reported a recurrence or worsening or side effect after improving their DC with the DCI treatment method.

The purpose of using natural Alternative Medicine treatment is to get that DC tissue healing, thus avoiding the need for any hand surgery. If you can get better on your own, there is no need to worry about Dupuytren contracture recurrence.

The DCI treatment system has saved countless people from needing hand surgery. Their fingers and palms improved enough with the DCI method that they, and their doctors, did not think surgery was still necessary.

Get started with    Dupuytren’s contracture natural treatment 

An old and common surgical problem  

The greatest French surgeon of the 19th century was Guillaume Dupuytren.  Even so, he also had patients whose palm lumps and finger contractures returned after hand surgery. He experimented with a variety of tactics and methods to minimize the return, but none were totally successful. Some things never change.

So, if Dupuytren contracture continues to be a problem during 300 years of surgery, what does that mean?  That they were all bad surgeons?  No, of course not.  Actually, even fantastic surgeons must deal with recurrence of Dupuytren contracture.  Fundamentally, the real problem is that Dupuytren disease is a nasty problem.  After surgery the patient still has Dupuytren disease.  And, of course, this means the patient still has the tendency to produce too much collagen and fibrin – even after surgical removal of the palm lump and finger cord.

Here is the nasty truth about Dupuytren contracture:  There is no way to get rid of it by cutting it out or dissolving it with Xiaflex (collagenase enzyme). It just keeps coming back.

Hand surgery to remove the palm lump and finger cord is like hitting a skunk with a stick to get it out of your garage. Forcing the skunk out just creates more trouble, and you get more of what you are trying to get rid of.

DCI thinks it is smarter and safer to get the skunk to leave quietly, naturally, so it does not cause any more stink.

People tell us about their Dupuytren contracture recurrence  

At DCI, we talk to many people about their Dupuytren problems. As you might suspect, the subject of Dupuytren contracture recurrence is a popular topic. Based on these conversations, we learn the average persons’ Dupuytren recurrence returns 2-3 years after surgery. It is not uncommon for recurrence to start in less than a year; some just a few months after hand surgery.  At the other extreme, other people say their DC took 5-10 years or more to return.

In addition, we discuss the actual condition of the hand when the DC returns. Do not assume that after returning, the Dupuytren problem will be the same as before surgery. Perhaps it might feel good for a few months, or even or year or so.  Eventually, the hand contracture will return. How good or bad the hand becomes depends ultimately on many different factors that are beyond the control of the doctor:

  1. Amount of normal and abnormal superficial and deep tissue that must be removed.
  2. Size of the palm lump and finger removed.
  3. How deeply the palm lump and finger cord has grown into the surrounding normal tissue.
  4. Where the palm lump and finger cord are located in relation to important blood vessels, muscles and nerves.
  5. If skin grafts are necessary to close the incisions, and if they heal well or get infected.

What happens after hand surgery?

After hand surgery, the patient still has Dupuytren disease.  Surgery only removes the thick contracted tissue; the disease remains.  Therefore, the patient’s hand can still produce an excessive amount of collagen and fibrin in that same area of the hand.  When it does, it is called Dupuytren contracture recurrence.

Removal of a large percent of tissue from the palm of the hand has consequences. It often results in a worse situation than before the hand surgery, for several reasons:

  1. Continued scar formation causes the palm to become even thicker and less flexible.
  2. Pain due to scar development after the removal of normal and abnormal tissue during surgery. It can be mild to severe, and occasional to constant.
  3. Numbness and tingling of the fingers and hand due to that same scar development.
  4. Permanence of some degree of finger joint stiffness. Seldom are fingers completely straightened after surgery.  And over time they stay flexed even more than before.
  5. Loss of muscle and valuable connective tissue with each surgery, causes weakness and awkwardness of finger and hand movement.

What is the possibility of recurrence

First of all, there is no way to accurately predict anything about Dupuytren recurrence after surgery. No one can say when recurrence will happen; how severe it might be; or what symptoms might develop.

However, a few statistical indicators suggest recurrence of Dupuytren contracture could happen sooner if one or more of the following is true:

  1. Finger joint flexion fixed at 30 degrees or more.
  2. One or more immediate family members also have DC.
  3. One or more ancestors are from northern Europe or Scandinavia.
  4. Younger than 60 years of age at onset of DC.
  5. Palm lump and finger cord are developing rapidly.
  6. History of diabetes or liver disease.

Final comment

In 1964 Weckesser stated, “In general, the longer the follow-up period [after Dupuytren’s disease surgery], the lower the percentage of good results.” This means that shortly after surgery the hand can feel and look pretty good.  However, as weeks and months pass, it is very common for the hand to tighten up again.  The results and benefits that looked so promising at first, fade and worsen. This return of the contracture ultimately causes more pain, numbness, weakness and other related problems.

Surgery for Dupuytren’s contracture only provides a temporary break from the contractures and other related complaints. The recurrence of Dupuytren contracture might not be too bad if the time of relief was long enough.  But this is not the case.

People usually say that the short period of relief they got from hand surgery is not worth what they went through.  They felt the risk of surgery, the pain, hours of rehab, cost, complications and side effects related to the surgery and subsequent complications related to Dupuytren contracture recurrence did not justify what they got out of it.

It is reasonable to first be conservative. Try a simple natural approach to help your body heal the DC tissue, and so naturally remove the Dupuytren tissue.  Better to work hard to avoid needing hand surgery if possible.  You can always have surgery later if it is still necessary.

Learn about   Dupuytren’s natural treatment