Dupuytren Contracture: Progression

Dupuytrens Contracture Progression

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Dupuytren contracture progression is variable in terms of speed and degree of tissue changes. Dupuytrens contracture usually begins as a painless nodule, pit, depression or lump on palm of hand near the palmar crease at the base of the ring, little or middle fingers, or along the front of a finger. In some cases, these thickened or depressed areas can be sensitive to touch, although it is generally not painful. If pain is present initially, it gradually disappears as the condition progresses. The speed at which Dupuytrens contracture progresses is variable from case to case.

There is no sure way to determine how severe or how quickly Dupuytrens contracture will progress, or how soon the contractures of fingers will result in limitation of hand use and functionality. If the disease progresses quickly, the fingers can become bent toward the palm, in a variable degree of flexion, within a few weeks or months, although this is rare; more commonly it is a process that takes years to occur.

Holding a pencil or other detail detial work is complicated by the contractures of fingers that are part of Dupuytrens disease

Dupuytren contracture makes many activities increasingly difficult and even painful  Even something as common as brushing your teeth is difficult with Dupuytren contracture

Dupuytren contracture makes even simple hand movements difficult and complicated.

Dupuytren contracture makes washing up awkward to impossible


Early symptoms
Dupuytren’s contracture often starts as a slight  thickening of the skin on the palm of the hand – similar to a thick callus.  As the Dupuytren’s contracture progresses, the skin on the palm of the  hand may begin to slightly pucker or dimple.  As this palm lump becomes more and more firm it may be sensitive to the touch but usually isn’t painful.

Later symptoms
As the condition advances, cords of tendon-like tissue form under the skin on the palm, advancing toward the fingers eventually pulling the involved finger(s) toward the palm, making it difficult to impossible to fully open the hand.

As a contracture progresses, the nodule becomes a thickened fibrous cord that extends into the finger under the skin. As the cord thickens and shortens, the affected finger is pulled (curled) in towards the palm, and extension of the affected finger becomes difficult or impossible.A contracting band or cord of diseased fascia may take years to form. When a joint is crossed, joint straightening is limited and the hand cannot lay completely flat. The skin and ligaments shorten secondarily, and knuckle pads of thickened skin occasionally form over the middle joint of the fingers.

The 4th (ring) finger and 5th (little or pink) finger are most commonly affected, with infrequent involvement of the 3rd (middle) finger. Rarely are the thumb and 2nd (index) finger involved.  Dupuytren’s contracture can occur either hand, though one hand is usually affected more severely than the other.

Because Dupuytrens contracture progression is difficult to predict, and should never to taken lightly, it is the opinion of DCI that all cases should be treated early and aggressively with a full array of conservative Alternative Medicine therapies that are discussed on this website.

How do I start to treat my Dupuytren Contracture naturally?
It’s easy.  Click on: Start Dupuytren Treatment

The normal and full use of your hand or hands can be taken from you through Dupuytrens contracture progression. Do all that you can, as early as you can, to allow your body the best opportunity to reverse this problem.

For ideas and suggestions to organize an effective Alternative Medicine treatment plan, click Create Dupuytrens Treatment Plan..

2 thoughts on “Dupuytren Contracture: Progression

  1. Vickie Aubin says:

    I had hit my left hand in the back door last July at a rental home and just about a month ago I began to see a lump in my palm. I went to a hand ortho Dr who said it is Dupuytren’s contracture, and it may be related to this incident with the hand last July. So, I will be going try physical therapy this week and deal with some pain. Any feedback thanks.

  2. Dr. Herazy says:

    Greetings Vickie,

    Never heard of any meaningful or effective stretching treatment that a PT could do for Dupuytren’s contracture, that a person could not do better on their own. It is really a simple process you can learn how to do in a few minutes. Please go to the DCI home page and scroll down toward the bottom of the page, to find a link for stretching exercises for Dupuytren’s contracture.

    Once you learn how to do it, the big advantage you have over the PT stretching your hand is that you can stretch your hand several times a day, for a few minutes each, as opposed to having it done by someone else once or twice a week. In addition, you should also use our DCI natural treatment protocol for DC, which will work nicely with the hand stretching. TRH

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