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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Dupuytren's (du-pwe-TRANZ) contracture is a hand deformity that usually develops slowly, over decades. Dupuytren's contracture affects the connective tissue under the skin of your palm. Knots of tissue form under the skin — eventually forming a thick cord that can pull one or more of your fingers into a bent position.
Once this occurs, the fingers affected by Dupuytren's contracture can't be straightened completely, which can complicate everyday activities such as placing your hands in your pockets, putting on gloves or shaking hands.
Dupuytren's contracture most commonly affects the ring finger and pinky, and occurs most often in older men of Northern European descent. A number of treatments are available to slow the progression of Dupuytren's contracture and relieve symptoms.
- Calandruccio JH. Dupuytren contracture. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/185412162-4/958195331/1584/560.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50075-1_3999. Accessed Feb. 24, 2010.
- Sheon RP, et al. Dupuytren's contracture. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 24, 2010.
- Stretanski MF. Dupuytren contracture. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/185680318-3/958880137/1678/28.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50027-4_405. Accessed Feb. 25, 2010.
- Dupuytren's contracture. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00008. Accessed Feb. 24, 2010.
- Rayan GM. Nonoperative treatment of Dupuytren's disease. Journal of Hand Surgery. 2008;33A:1208.
- Amadio PC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 8, 2010.
- Hurst LC, et al. Injectable collagenase clostridium histolyticum for Dupuytren's contracture. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;361:968.
- Xiaflex (prescribing information). Malvern, Pa.: Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2010. http://www.xiaflex.com/XIAFLEX_prescribing_info.jsp. Accessed March 15, 2010.
- Mercier LR. Dupuytren's contracture. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/186345095-3/960507000/2088/198.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00013-7--sc0110_4003. Accessed Feb. 25, 2010.
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