What is Dupuytren disease?

Dupuytren disease is thickening and tightening of the structure that anchors the skin of your palm to your hand. It’s inherited from your parents (genetic).⁴ It starts with lumps in the palm. Sometimes the lumps become cords that bend the finger towards the palm.

Figure: Lumbs, cords and bend.

It’s more common in people with ancestors from Scandinavia or the British Isles. Most people with Dupuytren disease just get lumps. There is no way to tell if the finger is going to bend. Nothing you do will increase or decrease the risk of a bend (figure).

Treatment is not offered for lumps. Treatment is offered when the bend gets past a certain point (usually about a 30 degree bend). Treatment does not cure the problem and the bend can return.⁵