Dupuytren's Contracture is a condition in which the tissue on the palm of the hand becomes tighter.The fingers are not able to be straightened out due to this malformation.You will need to be able to identify your risk factors and any symptoms you are experiencing in order to diagnose this condition.You will have to get a medical diagnosis after assessing your risks and symptoms.Getting a diagnosis is important because it will allow you to better understand what is happening to you and to begin the process of finding a proper treatment.
Step 1: There are changes to the skin of the palms.
A change to the skin on your palms is the first sign of Dupuytren's contracture.It will cause a mess on the surface of the hand.These are tough areas and usually form slowly.This condition can affect both hands, but may be more severe in one.
Step 2: Determine the function of your fingers.
As the condition progresses, it will affect your dexterity.If your ring and pinkie finger are curling up, you may have Dupuytren's contracture.You may be able to feel thick cords between the palms of your hands.The loss of finger function is caused by these cords.
Step 3: Pick out any risk factors you may have.
Men of Northern European descent who are over the age of 40 are more likely to have Dupuytren's contracture.If you have relatives with the condition, you are more likely to get it.Smoking and diabetes are risk factors.You have a higher chance of getting this condition if you are a smoker or have diabetes.Knowing your risk factors can help determine if you have it.If you don't have any risk factors for Dupuytren's contracture, any symptoms that you have may be caused by a different condition.
Step 4: Get ready for the appointment.
Before you see your doctor, you should be aware of what they will ask you.You should be able to tell your doctor about your symptoms and the risk factors for Dupuytren's contracture.If your symptoms have changed over time, you should try to remember when.When making the appointment to see your doctor, tell the receptionist about your symptoms.This will allow the doctor to research the causes of your symptoms before they meet with you.
Step 5: Allow your doctor to check out your hand.
A doctor can diagnose Dupuytren's contracture by looking at and feeling the hands.They will look at the palms and feel them.The doctor will feel the thick cords in the hands that are causing the fingers to tighten when inspecting them.
Step 6: Do a test in a room.
If you have Dupuytren's contracture, your doctor may want you to do a test.To take the test, place your palms against a table to see how flat your fingers are.If the joint closest to your palm is curved more than 40 degrees, then the condition is advanced.Your doctor will likely suggest surgery if you have fingers this curled.
Step 7: How the condition is progressing should be assessed.
If Dupuytren's contracture is not progressing very quickly and does not affect movement or function, your doctor may suggest keeping an eye on your symptoms.Treatment is usually held off until the symptoms get worse.There is no treatment for Dupuytren's contracture.Injections or surgery in the palms are what all treatments involve.
Step 8: Try to get steroid injections.
If your condition is early in its progression, you can try steroid injections.They can help break up nodules early in their development.When it comes to the early stages of this disease, steroid injections are more helpful because they can't break down more thicker tissue and they will not fix fingers once they have curled up.It will take a long time for steroid injections to be done.They are done monthly but with a break after three to six treatments.
Step 9: You should get injections.
If the condition is affecting the function of your hands, you can try injections.The purpose of these injections is to improve the function of your fingers.Those with advanced Dupuytren's contracture are more likely to benefit from the injections as they work to release the tension that is curling the fingers.The Dupuytren's contracture treatment may not result in full function.Even if the symptoms are minimized, there is a chance that they will return.
Step 10: Discuss the option of surgery with your doctor.
If your condition is advanced and injections are not helping to minimize it, your doctor may suggest surgery and you will be referred to an orthopedic hand specialist if you haven't already been.The surgeries used for this condition include open surgery to remove some of the bands and needle aponeurotomy, which uses needles to break up the tightened tissue.Needle aponeurotomy can be done in a doctor's office, while open surgery requires a surgical room.Open surgery requires more time to recover.The surgeon should talk about realistic goals and possible risks of the procedure.Even if symptoms are minimized, Dupuytren's contracture may return over time.Infections at the incision site and a bad reaction to medications are some of the risks associated with surgery.
Step 11: Stretching with other treatments can be used.
Your doctor may suggest stretches to increase the effectiveness of other treatments.When used in combination, stretching can increase the flexibility of fingers affected by Dupuytren's contracture.It's a good idea to talk to your doctor about what stretches you should do after treatment.You should wait until your doctor says it's okay to do stretches after surgery before doing them.Stretching is a key part of physical therapy.