Dupuytren's contracture is a slow thickening of the tissue layer just under the skin of the palm. Cords form and pull one or more fingers, most often the ring and small finger, into a bent position that cannot be straightened on its own. It runs in families and is more common in men over 50.
Warning signs
- A painless lump in the palm near the base of the ring or small finger
- Dimpling or pitting of the skin over the lump
- A firm cord you can feel running from the palm into the finger
- The tabletop test: you can no longer lay your palm flat on a table
Treatment
Early disease with no real contracture is usually observed. Once a finger is bent enough to interfere with washing your face, gloves, or a handshake, the cord is released surgically. For a well-defined cord Dr. Loredo uses a mini-incision fasciotomy done as an outpatient under local or regional anesthesia; severe or recurrent disease is treated with a traditional open fasciotomy. Dupuytren's tends to come back over the years, so it is managed as a long-term condition.
Find this post on: Facebook Instagram YouTube LinkedIn
Questions patients ask
What is dupuytren's contracture?
Dupuytren's contracture is a slow thickening of the tissue layer just under the skin of the palm. Cords form and pull one or more fingers, most often the ring and small finger, into a bent position that cannot be straightened on its own. It runs in families and is more common in men over 50.
What are the warning signs of dupuytren's contracture?
A painless lump in the palm near the base of the ring or small finger. Dimpling or pitting of the skin over the lump. A firm cord you can feel running from the palm into the finger. The tabletop test: you can no longer lay your palm flat on a table.
How is dupuytren's contracture treated?
Early disease with no real contracture is usually observed. Once a finger is bent enough to interfere with washing your face, gloves, or a handshake, the cord is released surgically. For a well-defined cord Dr. Loredo uses a mini-incision fasciotomy done as an outpatient under local or regional anesthesia; severe or recurrent disease is treated with a traditional open fasciotomy. Dupuytren's tends to come back over the years, so it is managed as a long-term condition.
Who treats dupuytren's contracture near Southlake and Dallas-Fort Worth?
Dr. Pedro Loredo, a board-certified hand surgeon (General Surgery, American Board of Surgery; Hand Surgery, American Board of Plastic Surgery) at Loredo Hand Care Institute, 431 E State Hwy 114, Suite 380, Southlake, TX. New patients are seen within days. Call (972) 939-4974. Se habla español.
En español: ¿Ya no puede apoyar la palma plana sobre la mesa?
La contractura de Dupuytren es un engrosamiento lento de la capa de tejido que está justo debajo de la piel de la palma. Se forman cuerdas que jalan uno o más dedos, casi siempre el anular y el meñique, hacia una posición doblada que ya no se endereza sola. Es hereditaria y más común en hombres mayores de 50 años.
Señales de alerta
- Un bulto indoloro en la palma, cerca de la base del anular o el meñique
- Hoyuelos o hundimientos de la piel sobre el bulto
- Una cuerda firme que se siente desde la palma hacia el dedo
- La prueba de la mesa: ya no puede apoyar la palma completamente plana
Tratamiento
La enfermedad temprana, sin contractura real, normalmente se vigila. Cuando el dedo se dobla tanto que estorba para lavarse la cara, ponerse guantes o dar la mano, la cuerda se libera con cirugía. Para una cuerda bien definida, el Dr. Loredo realiza una fasciotomía de mini-incisión, ambulatoria, con anestesia local o regional; la enfermedad severa o recurrente se trata con una fasciotomía abierta tradicional. El Dupuytren tiende a volver con los años, así que se maneja como una condición de largo plazo.
If this sounds like your hand
Call Loredo Hand Care Institute or start your forms online. New patients are seen within days; surgery, when needed, is scheduled at the first available opening. Se habla español.