Dupuytre's contracture

Dupuytren's contracture - (g. dupuytren; synonym: Dupuytren's syndrome, contracture of the palmar aponeurosis) is a disease characterized by a gradual flexion contraction (contracture) of the fingers.

The cause of the disease is compaction and shortening of the palmar aponeurosis - dense connective tissue on the palmar surface of the hand. This leads to the fact that the fingers begin to bend towards the palm and over time become fixed in this position.

Most often, 4-5 fingers are affected, less often - 2-3 fingers. The process usually starts with the little finger or ring finger. The disease progresses slowly over many years.

Treatment in the initial stages is conservative - physiotherapy, medications. In case of severe contracture, surgical intervention is performed - excision of the altered areas of the aponeurosis.

Thus, Dupuytren's contracture is a serious disease of the hand, leading to persistent deformation and limitation of finger function. Timely treatment helps prevent patient disability.

Dupuytren's contracture

**Dupuytren's contracture** is a chronic progressive disease of connective tissues, characterized by dystrophic degeneration of the fibrous tissue of the palmar surface of the forearm, followed by the formation of feathery contractures of the interphalangeal joints of the fingers and thickening of the skin with the formation of a “palmar cord”.

As a result, the fingers are deformed and their function is lost. The disease is more often observed in elderly and senile men. The first symptom: a dense swelling of connective tissue forms on the skin of the hand, looking like a cord, thread, omentum, which, due to growth, can lead to fusion of the skin and cause contracture of the interphalangeal joint. The symptom develops gradually and only with increasing severity serves as the first link in the chain of initial symptoms of the disease. Depending on the form of contracture, curvature of the fingers, contracture position of the fingers in the joint, and shortening of the fingers appear. With a dry form of contracture, the fingers are thinner than normal and bend less, while with a wet form, the fingers are wider and shorter. The limbs gradually shorten, with the first finger facing the back of the hand. The function of the hand is impaired, which becomes unsuitable for performing various tasks. Severe muscle weakness increases.

As the disease progresses, the fingers are given a characteristic claw-like position. The fingers are often fused at the last joint with the metacarpal bones. Severe contracture of the fingers limits and complicates the movements of the hand: fastening buttons and zipping trousers is difficult, you have to bend over when washing. Therefore, the arm is often extended and bent. Patients constantly hold it in front of them and walk, holding it suspended. Fatigue of the sore arm increases. Contracture is often associated with pathological changes in the Achilles tendon. Persons involved in handicrafts suffer from contracture