{"id":5111,"date":"2019-03-19T05:39:52","date_gmt":"2019-03-19T05:39:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5111"},"modified":"2021-03-29T17:54:50","modified_gmt":"2021-03-29T17:54:50","slug":"12-typical-signs-of-dupuytrens-contracture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/12-typical-signs-of-dupuytrens-contracture\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Typical Signs of Dupuytren’s Contracture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Dupuytren\u2019s contracture is a condition that leads to immobility of the hands and fingers as well as difficulty performing everyday tasks including writing, typing, and shaking hands with your associates. There is no clear answer to what exactly causes this disease \u2014 through various risk factors have already been identified. There are many signs that you might have Dupuytren\u2019s contracture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with any other disease, it\u2019s important that you get yourself officially diagnosed with your physician rather than gauging the symptoms for yourself and Googling to find an answer. Nonetheless, identifying what the symptoms of Dupuytren\u2019s contracture are can still be beneficial as it might give you some context on the disease. If you notice yourself with any of these symptoms, don\u2019t panic. There is considerable overlap in many diseases, so what might appear to be Dupuytren\u2019s contracture symptoms could actually be caused by something else. Never jump to a conclusion before first consulting with your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Thickening of the skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to understand that Dupuytren\u2019s contracture is a condition that progresses rather slowly. You won\u2019t just wake up one morning and be unable to move any of your fingers. This is why doctors categorize it as a chronic condition as opposed to an acute one. Many people trip over this medical jargon, but the truth is that chronic just means over a longer period of time while acute means suddenly occurring and\/or rapidly progressing. In the early stages of Dupuytren\u2019s contracture<\/a>, you might find your skin becoming thicker. This could be caused by various other types of dermal conditions, but it can also be a result of early-onset Dupuytren\u2019s syndrome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you should never panic if you find your skin thickening, it would still be worth running a few tests with your physician so that you can pinpoint the cause and verify whether or not it is, in fact, Dupuytren\u2019s contracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Dimpled skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No, we\u2019re not talking about those cute little dots on your cheek that has everyone around you dying from adorability shock. When we say dimpled skin, we\u2019re referring more to the aesthetic that a golf ball provides. If you find many dimples forming on your skin<\/a>, perhaps spreading or becoming more prominent as time passes, this could be a sign that you have Dupuytren\u2019s syndrome. This stage often comes after the thickening of the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you noticed an initial thickening of the skin and then dimples forming in your skin \u2014 especially on or around the hand \u2014 afterward, this may be a sign that you have Dupuytren\u2019s syndrome. If this is the case, simply remain calm and head on over to your physician so that you can run all the appropriate tests and get an official diagnosis on what is causing the dimpling of your skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Lumps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You might notice lumps of tissue forming on or around your hand. This is usually one of the later stages of Dupuytren\u2019s contracture. It will almost always occur following the dimpling and thickening stages of the condition. These lumps <\/a>will often be small. Some are painful while others are not, and the pain \u2014 or lack thereof \u2014 can vary between cases. While most of these lumps aren\u2019t painful, they will almost always be sensitive to the touch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice these lumps that are very sensitive to touch, they could be a sign of Dupuytren\u2019s contracture. It\u2019s easy to differentiate between these and cysts as cysts are often not sensitive to the touch. That said, you should get the official opinions of your doctor as well as a dermatologist so that you can get a proper diagnosis of what underlying issue is causing these lumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Cords<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After the lumps, Dupuytren\u2019s contracture moves into the next stage of the symptom list. From the formation of lumps, you will move to the formation of cords<\/a>. These cords will sometimes be as sensitive as the lumps \u2014 though others have said that they are more or less sensitive \u2014 and extend all the way up to your fingers. They often originated from either the back of your hand or the palm. They will almost always be embossed. Most of the cords aren\u2019t painful, but there have been some reports of painful cords forming for those with late-stage Dupuytren\u2019s contracture. Bear in mind that these cords will always form beneath the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice any similar types of skin issues that resemble these cords but from above the skin, you should immediately get checked with your doctor and dermatologist as this is likely caused by something else that could be more severe than Dupuytren\u2019s contracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Fingers being pulled towards the palm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the latest stages of the condition, and the one that it is most known for. As your condition progresses, these cords will become tighter and tighter. As their tightness <\/a>increases, your fingers will start to get pulled toward your palm. This is what makes it difficult to complete the mundane tasks that we mentioned above such as handshaking and wearing gloves. It will become increasingly hard to extend your fingers as the condition progresses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth noting that this condition targets that pinky as well as the finger next to it more prominently than the middle finger. The middle finger can also sometimes be affected. It is very rare for the thumb and\/or index finger to also contract toward the palm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Tenosynovitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tenosynovitis <\/a>can sometimes be caused as a result of Dupuytren\u2019s contracture. This is often what turns cases more severe as the patient has to deal with pain in addition to all the other issues that this condition causes. Tenosynovitis refers to inflammation of the sheaths that surround the tendons in your fingers. This could lead to various adverse effects \u2014 the most obvious being the pain. Other symptoms could also include enlargement of the affected finger or fingers. Joint stiffness is also quite common in tenosynovitis cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note that tenosynovitis can also be caused by a number of other things including infections so there\u2019s no need to panic you find your thumb becoming enlarged and\/or tender to the touch. If you come down with a case of tenosynovitis, you could tell your doctor that you want to be tested for Dupuytren\u2019s contracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Weak grip strength<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the condition progresses, it wears out your hands and fingers which could degrade your grip strength<\/a>. If you\u2019re a rock climber, you might notice yourself struggling to perform at the levels that you normally do. You might also notice that you constantly drop items, especially those that are either slippery or heavy. There are other things that could lead to a weak grip strength such as muscular atrophy as well as age, but Dupuytren\u2019s contracture could also lead to abnormally weak grip strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice your grip strength degrading \u2014 especially if you\u2019re at a young age \u2014 you should consult with your doctor so that you can pinpoint the issue and come up with a treatment plan together. There\u2019s no need to make the assumption that it is Dupuytren\u2019s contracture, but you\u2019ll need a diagnosis and treatment plan either way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Okay, you\u2019re probably panicking just because you can see this word on our last heading. Let us start by saying that your odds of developing cancer <\/a>due to Dupuytren\u2019s contracture are very low. There have been some studies showing a correlation between Dupuytren\u2019s contracture and various types of cancer. That said, these studies are in the earlier stages. Furthermore, many of these studies have excessively small sample sizes making their results sloppy at best. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s true that there is a correlation between some types of cancer and Dupuytren\u2019s contracture, but there\u2019s no clear order showing that the latter causes the former. In fact, reverse causation could be in effect and maybe these forms of cancer lead to Dupuytren’s contracture as opposed to the other way round. Before you jump to any conclusions, you should take a moment to breathe and then head on to your doctor so you can get tested. Without medical tests, any diagnosis is hearsay at best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Loss of Dexterity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most alarming aspects of Dupuytren’s Contracture is that it can cause a loss of dexterity in the hands. Along with a loss of strength, this can eventually make a number of your usual activities very difficult. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, many people suffering from the condition will find that they struggle to put their hands in their pockets \u2013 very much an everyday activity \u2013 and this can then be what initially clues them into the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, you might find that other tasks such as doing up buttons, getting dressed, typing on a computer, etc. can all be affected as well. This means that you might find that the issue ends up affecting your work and makes it hard for you to continue earning money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The precise reason all this happens is that the palmar fascia <\/a>and the tendons beneath are thickening and developing lumps. This, in turn, makes it harder to contract the muscles correctly to move the hands as you need to: which over time can become more and more disruptive in a manner similar to arthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Ledderhose Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ledderhose <\/a>disease is another condition that is often caused alongside Dupuytren’s Contracture and which may, therefore, be considered a symptom. Specifically, this is Dupuytren’s Contracture but affecting the foot. Rather than the palmar fascia, you are now affecting the plantar fascia. This is the fascia that is located along the bottom of the foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This actually can lead to a number of problems affecting your ability to walk, and reducing your mobility and range of motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those unfamiliar with the term, fascia is a type of connective tissue that wraps around the muscles, joints, and even the organs. It is responsible for holding everything in place and preventing things from shifting around. What\u2019s more, is that the fascia can help to add to contractile strength due to the smooth muscle tissue it contains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the case of Ledderhose disease, the problem is now affecting the Plantar Fascia, which is the fascia on the bottom of the foot. This then causes curling of the toes and discomfort, but it can also negatively impact on flexibility and more. In fact, many coaches will train an athlete\u2019s flexibility and mobility first by getting them to massage the plantar fascia with a tennis ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Soreness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soreness <\/a>is another common issue associated with Dupuytren’s Contracture, though perhaps not quite to the extent that you would expect. Specifically, you are often likely to find that the first nodules that appear are quite uncomfortable and sore, but with time this discomfort goes away and you will not notice any more pain. The condition itself is not generally regarded as a painful one, but rather one that impairs movement and makes the general activity difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is actually one of the best ways to distinguish between Dupuytren’s Contracture and arthritis. While both cause swelling and a loss of mobility, the latter most certainly is painful and uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that you may feel at least a little pain and discomfort though from the tightness of the fascia. Think of this like a clingfilm wrap around your joints and muscles \u2013 if this gets too tight then it can feel like everything is being squeezed and pulled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Pinky and Ring Finger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dupuytren’s Contracture causes the smooth muscle in the fascia, and the muscle <\/a>controlling the tendons in the hand to contract and shorten, thereby pulling the fingers in toward each other. This can, in turn, make it more difficult to engage in a number of tasks, and in particular, it is likely to affect the ring finger and the little finger. This can bring the hand into a claw-like shape like you are cupping something. It can also make it harder for you to get your hand around other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that this symptom is not always present. Sometimes it may be other fingers that appear to be most affected, sometimes you won\u2019t notice the change in your finger posture at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Loss of Feeling <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dupuytren’s Contracture can cause a loss of feeling in the fingers and hand. This is partly due to the thickening of the upper layers, which can, in turn, make it feel a little as though you might be wearing a glove. Additionally, it can feel a bit as though the signals from the brain <\/a>are being somewhat obfuscated by the \u2018noise\u2019 created by the tension in the hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can further reduce dexterity and flexibility: as the movement in the fingers is lost, it can feel even worse if it also leads to a loss of sensation. You might find that when you go to pick something up, you can\u2019t quite ascertain where it is in space, or how hard you need to grip it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a number of risk factors<\/a> that make Dupuytren’s Contracture more likely to affect you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these are not symptoms in themselves, they are very useful to consider alongside the symptoms when trying to work out what the cause of the discomfort might be.
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