Dupuytren’s contracture is a thickening of the normal tissues in the palm of the hand and proliferation of fibrous tissues and bands in the palm and fingers OrthoInfo Dupuytren’s Contracture. Usually, the condition is painless but can lead to loss of motion in the hand and fingers. Contractures of the fingers can occur. Small changes can be treated with stretching or occasional steroid injections. When more severe changes occur intervention is needed.
The newest treatment is an injection of an enzyme Xiaflex. The treatment is performed in the office. A numbing injection is first used then the enzyme is injected into the hard bands. The next day you return to the office and the bands are manually freed up. Splinting is used but no formal therapy is necessary. Occasional skin disruption due to the long-standing contracture will heal with routine wound care.