Lake Oswego Plastic Surgery®
Tuan A. Nguyen M.D., D.D.S., F.A.C.S.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
15820 Quarry Road · Lake Oswego OR 97035
Phone: (503) 635-1955 · Fax: (503) 635-1958
Dupuytren's
disease (also known as Dupuytren's
contracture) was first described by the French surgeon and anatomist
Baron Guillaume Dupuytren in 1831. The palmar aponeurosis
(also known as palmar fascia) is a tough fibrotendinous or scar-like
network of tissue that lies just beneath the skin of the palm and
extends from the palm to the fingers (see below). Normally, it
primarily serves a mechanical function, by firmly adhering the skin
to the palm for gripping purposes and protecting muscles and tendons
located underneath. In Dupuytren's disease, abnormal thickening and
tightening of this tissue occurs forming nodules and cords. The
disease eventually progresses to Dupuytren's contracture of the
fingers, where the fingers curl or bend towards the palm and are
unable to be opened or extended (see below).
Fig 1. Anatomical location of the palmar aponeurosis is shown.
Fig 2. Dupuytren's contracture with demonstrated nodule and cord formationwhich eventually progresses to Dupuytren's flexion contracture of affected digits.
The cause of Dupuytren's disease is not known, although it is thought to be somehow linked to specific biochemical makeup of the palmar fascia in affected individuals. Traditionally, the disease effects Caucasian middle-aged males of Northern European descent (White men age 40 and older). However, it has been known to occur in women and other ethnicities. No evidence has shown a significant relationsip between prior hand injuries or occupational exposure and the risk of developing or worsening of Dupuytren's contracture. Interestingly, similar diseases are known to occur in the soles of the feet called Ledderhose's disease (also known as plantar fibromatosis) and in the male penis called Peyronie's disease (also known as Induratio penis plastica or chronic inflammation of the tunica albuginea).
Continue to "Signs and Symptoms"
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Please see the provided Additional Links and Resources about Dupuytren's Disease for additional information and references.