Have you ever heard of Dupuytren’s Contracture? If the answer is yes, like many people out there, then don’t worry about it; we are going to tell you all you need to know about the condition. Dupuytren’s Contracture is a condition that affects the hand and fingers.
The condition starts out as a hard lump or nodule on the palm of the hand; this progressive condition will cause the finger to bend unnaturally towards the palm as the nodule pulls on the skin and tendons. Dupuytren’s Contracture typically affects the ring and little finger; however, it is not uncommon in the other fingers as well.
In most cases, the condition is not painful; however, one may experience pain and discomfort in some instances. Often misidentified as cancer, the lumps caused by Dupuytren’s disease are completely benign.
Dupuytren’s Contracture can have an effect on your daily life. Due to the nature of the condition, the use of the infected hand and fingers is limited, and in some cases, it can’t be used at all. The unnatural bending of the finger, coupled with the fact that it can’t be straightened, makes easy tasks challenging to perform. Simple tasks like cleaning, writing, or driving are not possible because you cannot grasp things with the infected hand.
Men are more susceptible to Dupuytren’s Contracture than women. When they suffer from the condition, things like shaving become complicated to do. Not only is the situation uncomfortable, but it has an effect on the patient’s psychological well-being.
They have to deal with the extreme frustration of not performing simple tasks and the embarrassment of having a deformity. The way the fingers bend in towards the palm and the lump caused by the disease are unsightly and generate self-consciousness. The condition is more common in people over the age of 50 and those who have diabetes.
Although there is no official cause of Dupuytren’s Contracture, there is a connection to lineage. As the disease is also known as Viking’s Disease, it is found in Northern European descent people. More common in Caucasians than any other race. As the Vikings traveled throughout Northern Europe, they spread the ailment through breeding, and this then continued to spread throughout Europe, into Spain, Italy, and other European countries.
The condition was brought over to the United Kingdom, where it is known as Celtic Hand. The condition is also linked to a chemical imbalance in the body; those who consume many alcoholic beverages are often sufferers of Vikings Disease. This is also the case with heavy smokers.
Specific ailments will also trigger Dupuytren’s Contracture, such as epilepsy, liver disease, and diabetes. There is also a connection to Ledderhose disease, which is a rare disease that causes lumps in the soles of the sufferer’s feet. Those who experience thyroid complications are also more likely to contract Dupuytren’s disease.
Treating Dupuytren’s Contracture
The most common treatment for Viking’s Disease is surgery. A surgeon removes the hardened tissue, and the wound closed up with stitches. The issue is that the scar left after the operation is unsightly and is known to be very painful. Due to the condition’s location, recovery time can be extensive, and active physiotherapy is necessary in the majority of cases. The surgery has other potential side effects like itchiness, bleeding, infection, and the wound’s reopening. The condition may return even after an operation.
If surgery is not what the patient is looking for, there is a home treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture. After extensive research, the Dupuytren’s tape found at Dupuytrencure has been proven to be the most effective treatment on the market. The tape stretches out the infected fingers while allowing freedom of movement, which can’t be said for a brace or splint. It also encourages blood flow to the infected area, which will help with treatment.
To be its most effective, the tape should be applied to the finger after the patient has used Dupuytren’s wand. The Dupuytren’s wand is an excellent home treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture. The wand is used to prime the hand for the Dupuytren’s tape as it will breakdown the hardened tissue and release the tendons, allowing the finger movement to return to normal. When used together, these two treatments show improvement immediately and are the best way to treat Dupuytren;’s Contracture without having to endure an operation.
There are other treatment options; needle aponeurotomy is a technique that doctors use to treat the condition. Needle aponeurotomy is a technique where a needle is inserted into the hand and wiggled around to release the tendon and allow movement to return to the hand and fingers. This technique may not involve any incisions but is known to cause discomfort and often leaves the hand and fingers feeling numb and with a tingling sensation. This is why the Dupuytren’s tape is the best home treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture; it has no side effects and starts to work immediately.