Dupuytren's Disease

What is Dupuytren's Disease?

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.

Who gets it? What causes it?

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).

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Additional Information

Please see the provided Additional Links and Resources about Dupuytren's Disease for additional information and references.