Dupuytrens disease is a hand distortion, causing the fibrous tissue underneath the skin surface of fingers and the palm area to become thick and contract. It can interfere with doing everyday tasks such as putting on gloves or even placing your hands inside pockets.
At Real Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, Dr. Salerno has extensive experience with hand surgery. With locations in Moonee Ponds and Werribee, Dr. Salerno can offer treatment options for those affected by Dupuytrens disease or contracture. To find out if hand surgery is right for you, contact Real Cosmetic Plastic Surgery today.
Nonsurgical treatments include warm water baths, exercises and using splints. If you’ve been diagnosed with Dupuytrens disease and nonsurgical treatments have been ineffective, here’s what you need to know about surgical options for repairing the problem.
When Surgery Becomes Necessary
If performing your daily activities becomes challenging, or if you struggle to grasp onto objects, surgery is usually recommended.
Having surgery can give you more joint release than nonsurgical treatments. As a result, mobility in your fingers can be restored. However, in most cases, physical therapy is required following surgery, and it can take longer to recover.
Open Surgery
The two main types of surgery are open surgery and needle aponeurotomy. In an open surgery, also called a palmar fasciectomy, an incision is made, which divides and removes some or all of the thickened tissue bands.
This procedure, which can take up to 90 minutes, can be done, using either a local or general anesthetic. While a local anesthetic just numbs your hand, a general anesthetic puts you to sleep during the procedure.
Needle Aponeurotomy
A needle aponeurotomy, which is less invasive, is typically done when a patient is in the early stage of the disease. It involves a hypodermic needle, which divides and cuts out unhealthy tissue in the fingers and palm. Most patients who have this surgery don’t need physical therapy and recover quicker. It only takes about 30 minutes and can be performed in an office setting.
After cleansing your hand, your surgeon injects numbing medication into the affected area. Once the spot is numb, a very fine needle is injected into the affected tissue so that holes are created. Then, your surgeon straightens your fingers to separate the tissue and loosen your fingers. After the surgery, steroid medicine may be given to reduce swelling.
Considerations and Warnings
- Dupuytrens disease is more common in males than in females.
- The pinky and ring finger are the ones most commonly affected by this disease.
- It can be harder to repair the contraction when two or more fingers are involved.
A common symptom is noting a small lump in the tissue under the surface of the skin. This eventually becomes so thick that it resembles a cord-like band. Straightening or extending your fingers can be challenging or even impossible. If you think you may have Dupuytrens disease, don’t hesitate to see a specialist for a diagnosis and to discuss treatment options.
