Slocum Orthopedics evaluates and treats Dupuytren contracture for patients across Eugene, Springfield, and the southern Willamette Valley. Our hand and wrist specialists provide personalized care to improve finger motion and hand function through both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options.
Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Dupuytren Contracture
Dupuytren contracture is a genetic disorder that causes one or more fingers to become stuck in a bent position. The condition develops when a fibrous layer of tissue beneath the skin, called the palmar fascia, thickens and forms nodules and cords that gradually pull the fingers into flexion.
Dupuytren contracture is more common in men, people of Northern European descent, and tends to develop with increasing age.
The most common symptom is the inability to fully straighten one or more fingers, most commonly the ring and little fingers. As the condition progresses, everyday activities such as laying the hand flat on a table, shaking hands, or placing the hand into a pocket or glove can become more difficult.
Treatment is generally recommended once the fingers become fixed in a bent position. Although Dupuytren contracture cannot be cured, treatment can improve the ability to straighten the fingers and restore hand function.
Diagnosis of Dupuytren Contracture
Diagnosis begins with a physical examination of the hand and fingers. Your provider will evaluate the thickened tissue, finger position, and ability to straighten the affected fingers to determine the severity of the contracture and discuss the most appropriate treatment options.
Medical Management of Dupuytren Contracture
Several treatment options are available to improve finger motion depending on the severity of the contracture and your individual goals.
Needle Fasciotomy
Needle fasciotomy is an in-office procedure that uses a fine needle to weaken or divide the thickened cords beneath the skin without making an incision.
Xiaflex® Injection
Xiaflex is an in-office treatment that uses an enzyme injection to break down the diseased tissue before the finger is manipulated to improve motion.
Both needle fasciotomy and Xiaflex may be repeated if the contracture returns.
When Surgery is Considered
Surgery may be recommended for more advanced contractures or when other treatments are not appropriate.
The procedure removes the diseased tissue from the hand to improve the ability to straighten the fingers and reduce the likelihood of recurrence in the same fingers. Although surgery lowers the chance of recurrence, Dupuytren contracture can still develop again over time.
Why Patients in Eugene Turn to Slocum for Hand & Wrist Care
For more than 80 years, Slocum Orthopedics has helped keep the Eugene–Springfield community moving. Our hand and wrist specialists provide comprehensive care for common and complex conditions affecting the fingers, hand, wrist, and upper extremity, supported by on-site imaging, therapy, and orthopedic surgical care.