Table of contents:
- Various treatments for dupuytren's contracture
- 1. Stretch and inject cortisone
- 2. Aponeurotomy needle
- 3. Collagenase injection
- 4. Operation
- 5. Salvage treatment
- Complications from the treatment of dupuytren's contractures
- Can the complications of dupuytren's contracture treatment be prevented?
Dupuytren's contracture may be foreign to your ear. This condition affects the tissue layer under the skin of the palms which causes the fingers to become bent. Luckily this condition is treatable. What are the treatments for Dupuytren's contracture? So, are there any complications that might occur from this treatment?
Various treatments for dupuytren's contracture
Dupuytren's contracture results in thickening of the tissue in the palm that pulls the finger. As a result, the position of the fingers, which could initially be bent and straightened, becomes stiff and continues to bend.
Usually, this condition occurs on the ring and little fingers. Although not life-threatening, this condition is quite disturbing. Over time, your finger will become worse and more difficult to use.
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In order not to cause disability, people with dupuytren's contracture must undergo treatment. Here are some treatments that patients can undergo.
1. Stretch and inject cortisone
Stretching movements with a splint (splint, or a small plank to wrap around the bone) is the most common treatment for flexed fingers. The goal is to increase joint mobility in the hand so that it is not stiff.
Apart from stretching, the doctor will also inject cortisone to minimize the thickening of the skin on the affected palm area. Unfortunately, this treatment is not effective as the main treatment or when done separately, for example, only stretching without cortisone injections or vice versa. This treatment is usually more effective postoperatively.
2. Aponeurotomy needle
This treatment is done by inserting a needle into the dupuytren tissue that is pulling the finger. That way, the tissue will loosen up and allow the fingers to contract and move. The doctor will insert a needle in several locations around the tissue without making an incision.
Aponeurotomy needle treatment is very safe. Unfortunately, not all conditions of dupuytren can be cured this way. In some cases, dupuytren can come back quickly.
3. Collagenase injection
Collagenase is a special enzyme that is injected into the area that is the palm of the hand that is affected. The goal is to break down the tightened tissue so that the fingers can contract and no longer stiffen.
Dupuytren's contracture treatment cannot only be done once. The patient will be asked to do another injection within a vulnerable time of 2 to 3 days, so that the tissue that is pulling the finger is broken.
4. Operation
Surgery is the most common treatment for dupuytren's contractures. When the surgery is performed, the doctor will make a direct incision in the area of the dupuytren tissue, remove it, and close the incision again. After tissue removal, the hand is bandaged for weeks and splinted for several months.
Treatment will be followed by finger stretching exercises, collagenase injections, and an aponeurotomy needle so that the dupuytren contracture does not recur. In some cases, further surgery is required. However, it is more difficult than the first operation because of the scar tissue on the palms.
5. Salvage treatment
Salvage treatment is for people with dupuytren contractions who were unable to successfully undergo previous treatment. This is the last resort and aims to prevent the condition from getting worse. Some of the procedures that will be carried out include:
- Joint fusion. Surgery to adjust the joints around the bent finger so that the finger is no longer bent.
- External fixation.Place a device on the finger bone that can stretch the tissue so that the finger can contract.
- Amputation.The amputation procedure is rarely performed in only a few severe cases in order to make it easier for patients to use their hands.
Complications from the treatment of dupuytren's contractures
Although dupuytren's contracture is treatable, the risk of recurrence remains. Nearly 50% of people who undergo treatment within 3 to 5 years of treatment experience this condition again.
Apart from being able to recur, some treatments also cause new problems, such as nerve damage, pain, and scarring. Nerve damage occurs in almost all treatments, especially through the surgical process. Damage to the nerves can cause numbness of the hand or cause a tingling sensation in the affected palm.
Then, the hand area also causes pain that can appear at any time. Scar tissue can also form after surgery.
Can the complications of dupuytren's contracture treatment be prevented?
There is no specific way to reduce the risk of complications from bending finger care. However, there are several ways you can do this. Start by consulting your doctor about which type of treatment is most suitable for your condition.
You can visit a doctor who is an expert in their field, such as an orthopedic doctor. Apart from grooming, try to take care of any activity that involves your hands. Perform regular checks so you know the effectiveness of the treatment as well as your body condition.
