Dupuytren's Disease
Dupuytren’s disease results from your body creating hard tissue under your skin. In the hands this starts as hard spots and pitting in the palm. Eventually the disease progresses to form a “cord”. This cord can start pulling the fingers in to the point that they cannot be straightened out. Dupuytren’s is a progressive disease, however, it progresses differently in each person, meaning that some people may only have some hard spots in their palm for years, whereas others may develop debilitating cords much more quickly.
Dupuytren’s disease is generally treated once you can no longer put your hand down flat on a table (table-top test). There are various treatment options for Dupuytren’s disease that Dr. Lisa Korus provides in Edmonton. These are:
It is important to note that all of these options have risks including tendon, artery and nerve damage and they all have a risk of recurrence meaning the disease can come back. Discussion with Dr. Korus can help determine which option is best for you.
Further information about Dupuytren's disease can be found in the links below:
American Association for Hand Surgery
http://handsurgery.org/public/
American Society for Surgery of the Hand
http://www.assh.org/handcare/hand-arm-conditions/dupuytrens-contracture
Dupuytren’s disease is generally treated once you can no longer put your hand down flat on a table (table-top test). There are various treatment options for Dupuytren’s disease that Dr. Lisa Korus provides in Edmonton. These are:
- Needle aponeurotomy – This procedure involves using a needle like a knife to break up the scar hard tissue in your hand. This is done as a minor procedure in her clinic and has the quickest recovery.
- Collagenase injection – Medication can be used to dissolve parts of the cord. This procedure involves two steps. The first is injection of the medication into your hand – after this the medication requires some time to take effect. A few days later Dr. Korus will bring you back to clinic and freeze your hand and break up the scar tissue.
- Open surgery – This option involves taking you to the operating room and putting you to sleep. Your hand is cut open and all the hard tissue is removed. This procedure has the longest recovery of all the options but it is the only way to get rid of all the hard tissue.
It is important to note that all of these options have risks including tendon, artery and nerve damage and they all have a risk of recurrence meaning the disease can come back. Discussion with Dr. Korus can help determine which option is best for you.
Further information about Dupuytren's disease can be found in the links below:
American Association for Hand Surgery
http://handsurgery.org/public/
American Society for Surgery of the Hand
http://www.assh.org/handcare/hand-arm-conditions/dupuytrens-contracture