Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffWhile you may initially bring your symptoms to the attention of your family doctor, he or she may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon.
What you can do
Before your appointment, you may want to write a list that answers the following questions:
- When did your symptoms begin?
- Have they been getting worse?
- Does anything make them better or worse?
- How does the contracture interfere with your day-to-day tasks?
What to expect from your doctor
During the physical exam, your doctor will visually inspect your hands closely, comparing them to each other and checking for any puckering on the skin of your palms. He or she will also press on different parts of your hands and fingers to check for toughened knots or bands of tissue.
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- 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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