Towards the end of last summer, I was splitting logs as a form of exercise. I was trying to do it for 30 minutes every day after work. It was going along well for a week or so, but then I started having pain in my hands. It was a pain down by the base of the fingers. It wasn’t terribly bad but was noticeable. Due to this I backed off the log splitting assuming that was the cause.
A couple of months later I was at a doctor’s appointment for my yearly checkup and I asked him to take a look at my hands. They had developed a puffiness on the balls of my hands and there were some hard spots in my palms.
He took one look and said that it was Dupuytren’s contracture. It then immediately hit me that this is the disease that John Elway has and he did commercials on it in the past. The doctor said they don’t know why you get it and there is no cure. Great.
So what is Dupuytren’s contracture? It’s is a progressive hand deformity that affects the connective tissue, causing the fingers to bend inward towards the palm. The condition typically involves the ring and little fingers, but it can also affect other fingers. It occurs due to the thickening and shortening of the palmar fascia, a fibrous layer of tissue in the palm that helps to stabilize and provide flexibility to the hand.
On my left hand it seems to be associated with my little finger, and on my right hand it’s the little finger and the one next to it.
The exact cause of Dupuytren's contracture is unknown. However, several factors are thought to contribute to its development, including:
- Genetics: A strong familial link is more common in individuals of Northern European descent.
- Age: The risk of developing Dupuytren's contracture increases with age, typically affecting individuals over 50.
- Gender: Men are more likely to develop the condition than women.
- Lifestyle factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and diabetes have been linked to an increased risk of Dupuytren's contracture.
According to the literature found on the internet, the onset of Dupuytren's contracture is typically gradual, and symptoms may include the following (words in parenthesis are mine on whether I am experiencing the condition):
- Thickening of the skin on the palm (yep)
- Formation of nodules or lumps in the palm (yep)
- Development of cords or bands of tissue that extend from the palm into the fingers (yep)
- Gradual bending of the affected fingers towards the palm (not yet)
- Difficulty straightening the fingers or grasping objects (not yet)
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Dupuytren's contracture, but several treatments can help manage symptoms and improve hand function. Treatment options depend on the severity of the condition and the patient's needs. They may include:
- Observation: Doctors may monitor the condition’s progression without intervention in mild cases.
- Physical therapy: Hand exercises and stretches can help maintain finger mobility and prevent contractures from worsening.
- Steroid injections: Injecting corticosteroids into the affected area can help reduce inflammation and slow disease progression.
- Needle aponeurotomy: In this minimally invasive procedure, a needle punctures and weakens the thickened cords, allowing the fingers to be straightened.
- Collagenase injection: An enzyme called collagenase is injected into the cords to break down the collagen and soften the tissue, making it easier to straighten the fingers.
- Surgery: Surgical options include fasciotomy (cutting the cord to release the contracture) and fasciectomy (removal of the affected tissue). Surgery is generally reserved for more severe cases.
Living with Dupuytren's contracture requires ongoing care and management to maintain hand function and slow the disease's progression. It is essential to stay informed about the condition, follow the prescribed treatment plan, and maintain open communication with healthcare providers to ensure the best possible outcome.
Sure is great to get old :(
