Understanding Dupuytren’s Disease: Symptoms and Causes
Dupuytren’s disease affects the hand by forming nodules and cords beneath the palm skin, pulling fingers inward and impairing movement. It mainly impacts older adults, with risk factors like smoking, alcohol use, diabetes, and family history playing a role. Symptoms include thickened skin, palpable lumps, and finger bending, often affecting the ring and little fingers. While progression varies from mild to severe, many cases can be managed with minimal intervention to preserve hand function.
Dupuytren’s disease is a hand condition where tissue beneath the skin of the palm forms nodules. Over time, these nodules develop into thick cords that pull fingers toward the palm, causing them to bend. This can impair daily activities like gripping objects, wearing gloves, or shaking hands.
Signs and Symptoms
The condition commonly affects the ring and little fingers, progressing slowly and often remaining unnoticed early on. Symptoms include:
Thickened skin on the palm, which may become dimpled over time.
A palpable lump in the palm that may be sensitive but not painful.
Development of tight cords pulling fingers inward, resulting in limited hand function.
In rare circumstances, the index and middle fingers can also be affected.
Usually, one hand is more impacted than the other, and symptoms may vary from mild to severe depending on disease progression.
While the exact cause remains unclear, certain risk factors may increase susceptibility. Age plays a significant role, with most affected individuals over 50 years old. Smoking, due to its impact on blood vessels, is suspected to contribute, and some studies link alcohol consumption to the condition. People with diabetes or a family history of Dupuytren’s disease also face higher risks. Additionally, men are more prone to develop this condition than women.
Although Dupuytren’s disease can hinder hand function, many cases require minimal treatment. Managing symptoms effectively helps maintain daily activity levels.
