Dupuytren’s Contracture is a condition that affects the hands and fingers. The disease starts as a hardened lump or nodule on the hand. The condition is progressive, and as it develops, it will cause the finger to bend unnaturally into the palms center. The hardened lump creates a cord that pulls down on the finger, making it bend. In most instances, the condition is not painful however, it does prevent the sufferer from performing multiple tasks. The patient is unable to grasp items because the hand can’t be opened correctly; this stops simple activities like cooking, cleaning, and even writing. The condition is somewhat common, with over 200,000 cases in the United States every year.
The condition is more common in men than in women; the ratio is about seven to one. The disease is also more prevalent in people over the age of 40 but can affect any age group. There is no confirmed cause of Dupuytren’s Contracture, but certain circumstances make it more likely. People who are living with diabetes are more susceptible to Dupuytren’s disease, as are those who suffer from liver disease. It is also more common in people who take epilepsy and seizure medications.
It may not cause Dupuytren’s Contracture, but drinking alcohol is known to cause the disease to develop more aggressively. The chemical imbalance caused by alcohol is said to be the reason behind this development. People who smoke cigarettes regularly are also said to make the condition more aggressive, even more so than alcohol consumption.
The condition is known to affect Caucasians more so than any other race. It is most common in people of Northern European and Scandinavian descent. The disease is hereditary, with people in the same family all suffering from Dupuytren’s Contracture. The condition is also referred to as Vikings Disease because of how common it was amongst Viking men. The same can be said of men in the British Isles, where the disease is known as Celtic Hand.
How do you treat Dupuytren’s Contracture?
The most common Dupuytren’s Contracture treatment is an operation. The surgery starts as a zigzag-shaped incision in the hand. The surgeon then removed the infected tissue and sewed up the hand. Surgery is usually successful, but there is a chance of the disease returning. Recovery from surgery takes several months in most cases and will require physiotherapy. The surgery has some risks like tendon or nerve damage, infection at the incision site, and an unsightly scar.
If you prefer a non surgical treatment for dupuytren's contracture, then the Dupuytren’s wand, tape, and jelly found at dupuytrencure.com. The combination of treatments eliminates the need for surgery and begins to work after only one treatment. The Dupuytrens jelly preps the hand for the use of the wand. The wand breaks down the hardened tissue and softens the tissue allowing the fingers to move freely. This is ideal for the tape, which will encourage blood circulation and reduce inflammation. These items are cost-effective and very easy to use.
