Dupuytren’s Disease affects the fibrous tissue under the skin in the palm and fingers known as the fascia. The fascia anchors and stabilizes the skin located on the palm of the hand. This condition causes the fascia to thicken over time pulling the fingers towards the palm of our hand known as “Dupuytren’s Contracture.” This pulling can make it very difficult to do your normal activities.

You may have initially noticed lumps or nodules under the skin on your palm followed by “pitting” as your diseased tissue pulls on the skin covering it. As it progresses it creates thick cords pulling one or more fingers or the thumb into a bent position. While it may look like a tendon is causing the pulling of your fingers, these aren’t actually your tendons.

This condition is more likely to affect men over women and those who are more predominantly European or Scandinavian descent. While this condition typically runs in families, your chance of getting it increases if you drink alcohol, have diabetes, or seizures. The older you are the more increased your chances are of being diagnosed with Dupuytren’s.