Dupuytren's Disease Specialist
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Texas Orthopedic and Hand Specialist
Kent Weinheimer, M.D.
Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon & Hand and Upper Extremity located in Amarillo, TX
If lumps and deformities in your hand are pulling one of your fingers into a bent position, Dupuytren’s disease could be the cause. At Texas Orthopedic and Hand Specialist in Amarillo, Texas, orthopedic surgeon Kent Weinheimer, MD, and the team diagnose and treat Dupuytren’s disease. Their treatment restores your hand’s structure and function. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
Dupuytren's Disease
What is Dupuytren's disease?
Dupuytren’s disease, also called Dupuytren’s contracture, is a hand deformity that develops over several years. It causes tissue knots to form under your skin. These knots cause a thick cord to pull one or more of your fingers into a bent position. When left untreated, Dupuytren’s disease prevents you from fully opening your hand and doing simple daily tasks.
What are the symptoms of Dupuytren’s disease?
If you experience Dupuytren’s disease, you might notice the following symptoms:
- Thickening of tissue in your palm
- Dimpled or puckered skin
- Lumps of tissue in your palm
- Cords underneath your skin
- Fingers pulled toward your palm
Dupuytren’s disease often develops slowly. Fingers usually affected are those farthest away from your thumb. Dupuytren’s disease can affect one or both of your hands.
What are the risk factors for Dupuytren’s disease?
The cause of Dupuytren's disease isn’t known. While it can happen to anyone, some things boost your risk of developing it. Examples include:
- Being older than 50
- Being male
- Family history of Dupuytren’s disease
- Drinking alcohol
- Smoking
- Being of northern European descent
- Having diabetes
The ways you can reduce your risk of developing Dupuytren’s disease include not smoking, limiting or avoiding alcohol, and properly controlling your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
How does my doctor diagnose Dupuytren’s disease?
To find out if you have Dupuytren’s disease and develop an effective treatment, Dr. Weinheimer asks you about your symptoms, reviews your medical history, and examines your hand, wrist, and fingers. He looks for toughened bands, knots, the inability to straighten your fingers, and other signs of Dupuytren’s disease.
What are common Dupuytren’s disease treatments?
Dr. Weinheimer will suggest one of the following treatments for Dupuytren’s disease based on how severe your condition is:
Enzyme injections
Injecting enzymes (Xiaflex®) into a tight cord in your hand can weaken and soften it, allowing your specialist to manipulate the cord and straighten your fingers.
Needling
Needling uses a tiny needle to break up the tight or hard tissues in your hand. This procedure doesn’t require incisions. Dr. Weinheimer uses it to treat several fingers at the same time.
Surgery
If you have advanced Dupuytren’s disease, surgery allows Dr. Weinheimer to remove tissues that contribute to hand deformities. The results are effective and long-lasting. In addition, completing physical therapy after surgery can improve your results.
Don’t let Dupuytren’s disease prevent you from being able to do simple everyday tasks. Call the Texas Orthopedic and Hand Specialist office at the first sign of the disease or book an appointment online.
