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Dupuytren's contracture
DURATION OF THE SURGERY
30 - 60 minutes
ANESTHESIA
Local anesthesia
HOSPITALIZATION
Is not required
RECOVERY TIME
14 days
ABSENCE FROM WORK
14 days
Treatment for Dupuytren's contracture is usually surgical. The operation, called selective removal of the thickened tissue or fasciectomy, involves cutting out the band of subcutaneous tissue that causes the deformity of the toes.
Why does Dupuytren's disease occur?
The disease is named after Baron Dupuytren who was the first to accurately describe it in 1832.
There are some main risk factors and associations that influence the development of Dupuytren's contracture:
- Heredity: Dupuytren's contracture has a very strong genetic component. If your parents or other close relatives had problems with finger bending, there is a good chance that you will too.
- Minor or major injuries to the hand: The injury can trigger inflammation and further healing can cause the tissue to thicken and harden. This process can lead to Dupuytren's contracture. Although the injury is not the direct cause of the disease, it can worsen or accelerate its course. This is especially true if you have other risk factors, such as a genetic predisposition or diabetes.
- Age and gender: Dupuytren's disease occurs most often in men aged 40 and over, which suggests to the fact that gender and age increase the risk of developing this disease.
- Alcohol and smoking: Some studies show that excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are associated with a higher risk of Dupuytren's disease. Both factors can lead to reduced blood flow, which can eventually cause thickening and hardening of the palm tissue.
- Diabetes: People with diabetes may be more prone to developing Dupuytren's disease, although the exact reason for the link not yet known.
- Some other diseases: People with certain diseases, such as most often epilepsy or HIV, may be more prone to developing Dupuytren's disease.
Regardless of the cause surgical treatment of diseases is carried out in a similar way. At the consultation, we discuss all risk factors and try to eliminate or reduce them in order to achieve the best possible long-term success of the operation.
What are the initial symptoms?
The initial symptoms of Dupuytren's contracture may appear gradually and are usually painless. The disease develops slowly, and in some cases it can take several years before it becomes bothersome.
The first signs appear in hard lumps or nodules under the skin of the palm, which you can feel like small stones. Some patients notice that their skin has begun to thicken or sag in these areas.
In the initial stages, the symptoms may be more aesthetic than functional. Over time, however, the disease can worsen and cause more visible deformities of the hand. The fingers gradually contract towards the palm, which limits movement and prevents full extension of the fingers. This can cause problems with everyday tasks, such as wearing gloves or holding objects.
If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible. Treatment is most effective if it begins before the disease progresses.
At the beginning of the disease, subcutaneous nodules are observed in the palm, usually on the side of the little finger, which may be sensitive to pressure, but do not affect the functionality of the hand. The disease may progress gradually over the years or develop more rapidly. It most often affects the fourth and fifth fingers, but also the thumb side of the hand. The fingers gradually contract towards the palm, which makes it impossible to actively extend the fingers. Even with the help of the other hand, stretching is not possible. The functionality of the hand is affected and the patient can no longer perform daily tasks.
"Dupuytren's disease occurs most often in men aged 40 and over, suggesting that gender and age increase the risk of developing the disease."
How do we treat Dupuytren's contracture?
There is still no medicine that would cure this disease (apart from surgery). Controlling Dupuytren's contracture focuses on slowing the progression of the disease and improving the patient's functionality and quality of life. The chosen approach will depend on the severity of the symptoms and the individual needs of the patient.
For the early stages of Dupuytren's disease, when the symptoms are less pronounced, physiotherapy exercises that maintain the mobility of the fingers can help. You can wear a splint at night to prevent the fingers from cramping during sleep.
When the disease progresses, surgery makes sense.
When does surgery make sense?
Although the mentioned methods can be effective in milder cases or in the early stages of the disease, conservative treatment in some cases cannot prevent or slow down the progression of the disease. Surgery is often necessary in patients with markedly reduced hand mobility or if the disease has progressed to the point where milder treatment is no longer effective. and make an appointment at our outpatient clinic. Before the operation, we will conduct a consultation where we will check the condition of your hands and explain all aspects of the operation in detail.
Dupuytren's contracture surgery, called fasciectomy, involves the removal or cutting of the affected tissue (fascia). in the hand causing curling of the fingers. This procedure improves the functionality of the hand and reduces discomfort.
How is Dupuytren's contracture surgery performed?
The operation is performed by an experienced surgeon with the aim of removing or cutting the affected tissue (fascia) that causes the fingers to contract.
The operation is usually performed under local anesthesia, which means that you will be awake during the operation, but you will not feel pain. Anesthesia is most often injected into the wrist or under the armpit. In some cases, general anesthesia may be required, which will be discussed in detail before the procedure.
First, we make an incision in the palm and/or fingers to reach the affected tissue. The tissue causing the toe contraction is then carefully removed or cut. At the end, the incision is sutured and bandages are applied. The operation takes about half an hour to an hour, depending on the severity of your condition.
After the operation, you will be under observation for a few hours, and then you will be discharged to home care the same day. Upon discharge, we will set a date for the follow-up examination.
Recovery after the procedure
The recovery period after surgery for Dupuytren's contracture can vary depending on the individual and the severity of the procedure.
Immediately after surgery, the arm is wrapped for protection and support. You may need analgesics to relieve post-operative pain. Pain and swelling in the affected arm are usually present in the first days after surgery. We recommend that during this period you often keep your hand in a bandage above the level of your heart, as the strength and mobility of your hand will be worse. We strongly advise against lifting heavy objects with the operated arm.
For optimal recovery, we will give you written instructions after the procedure, which must be followed carefully. These instructions will describe how to start moving the arm, which is crucial to prevent stiffness and promote healing.
Later recovery may also include physiotherapy to help improve arm range of motion and functionality.
Possible risks
As with all surgical procedures, Dupuytren's contracture surgery has potential risks. These include the possibility of infection, bleeding, swelling or numbness in the affected arm.
The likelihood of these complications occurring is relatively small, but at Estetika Fabjan we will do everything we can to ensure a safe and successful surgery experience . All risks and appropriate preventive measures will be discussed in detail at the consultation.
Informative price for Dupuytren's contracture surgery
The price of Dupuytren's contracture surgery depends on the specifics of each individual and is determined at the end of the consultation.
Basic Plan
€ 600
ONE TIME PAYMENT
- Individual examination and consultation
- Surgery
- Using the best devices
- Anesthesia
- Postoperative examination
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Legal Entity
- ESTETIKA FABJAN d.o.o. Poslovna cona A 32, 4208 Šenčur
- FABJANGAS d.o.o. Poslovna cona A 32, 4208 Šenčur
