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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Dupuytren's contracture typically progresses slowly, over several years. Occasionally it can develop over weeks or months. In some people it progresses steadily, and in others it may start and stop.
Early symptoms
Dupuytren's contracture usually begins as a thickening of the skin on the palm of your hand. As Dupuytren's contracture progresses, the skin on the palm of your hand may appear puckered or dimpled. A firm lump of tissue may form on your palm. This lump may be sensitive to the touch but usually isn't painful.
Later symptoms
In later stages of Dupuytren's contracture, cords of tissue form under the skin on your palm and may extend up to your fingers. As these cords tighten, your fingers may be pulled toward your palm, sometimes severely.
The ring finger and pinky are most commonly affected, though the middle finger also may be involved. Only rarely are the thumb and index finger affected. Dupuytren's contracture can occur in both hands, though one hand is usually affected more severely than the other.
- 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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