Dupuytren's contracture

Dupuytren's Contracture is a hand disorder in which the fingers bend towards the palm and cannot be straightened. The little and ring fingers are most commonly affected but all the fingers can become involved. In patients with this condition, scar tissue accumulates under the skin on the palm of the hand. The tissue (fascia) thickens and shortens so that tendons connected to the fingers cannot move freely.

Dupuytren's Contracture progresses slowly and is usually painless. It may initially present as only a minor lump or nodule in the palm of the hand near the base of the fingers. As Dupuytren's Contracture develops, dimpling and puckering of the skin over the area may be seen and the thickened tissue will give rise to firm cord-like bands extending into the ring or little fingers. The affected fingers start to bend more and more and eventually cannot be straightened.