What is Dupuytren’s Disease?
Dupuytren’s disease is a condition where scar-like tissue forms just beneath the skin of your fingers and the palm of your hand. Over time, this fibrous tissue can contract and force one or more fingers to curl up into the palm. This is known as Dupuytren’s Contracture.
What are the Benefits of Surgery?
You should be able to make better use of your hand and straighten the affected fingers more.
The Procedure
What Does the Operation Involve?
The surgery can range from simply cutting a fibrous band in the palm of your hand to removing all the affected skin and replacing it with skin grafts. Various anaesthetic techniques are possible.
What Complications Can Happen?
General Complications of Any Operation
- Bleeding
- Infection of the surgical site (wound)
- Scarring
Specific Complications of This Operation
- Injury to an artery in your finger
- Incomplete correction of the Dupuytren’s contracture
- Return of Dupuytren's disease
- Stiffness of your finger joints
- Numbness in your fingers operated on
- Wound-healing problems
- Severe pain, stiffness and loss of use of your hand
Following Surgery
You should be able to go home the same day. Your surgeon may arrange for you to have a splint to wear on your hand at night, and some physiotherapy to help get your fingers moving again. It is also important to exercise your shoulder and elbow gently to prevent stiffness. Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice. It can take some time for your hand to settle. Your fingers may curl up into our palm again in the future.
Acknowledgements
Author: Prof Tim Davis ChM FRCS (Tr. & Orth.)
Illustrator: Medical Illustration Copyright © Nucleus Medical Art. All rights reserved. www.nucleusinc.com
This document is intended for information purposes only and should not replace advice that your relevant healthcare.
The operation and treatment information on this website is published under license by New Victoria Hospital from EIDO Healthcare UK and is protected by copyright laws. Other than for your personal, non-commercial use, you may not copy, print out, download or otherwise reproduce any of the information.
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