Dupuytren’s disease is characterised by a slow and progressive thickening and retraction of the palmar aponeurosis, producing an irreversible flexion of the fingers that prevents the hand from remaining completely straight.
Doctors do not know the cause or origin of this disease, which is generally painless and manifested by a thickening or fibrosis of the palmar fascia, causing a progressive closure of the hand. Sometimes the condition is bilateral, although it usually affects one hand more than the other. It is usually more frequent in men from the age of 50 and in patients with diabetes or liver cirrhosis.
Examination reveals the existence of nodular thickenings in the palm of the hand, under the 4th metacarpal and progressively under the 4th and 3rd.
Conservative, non-aggressive treatment is usually not effective and for many people resorting to surgery does not completely solve the problem either.
