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Dupuytren’s contracture treatment
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care, as reported by PHIN
- 97% of orthopaedic patients rate our care ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’
- Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
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DUPUYTREN’S CONTRACTURE TREATMENT AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
This common hand condition requires expert care, and our leading orthopaedic team includes dedicated hand and wrist specialists. They’ll use state-of-the-art imaging technology to quickly and accurately diagnose your condition and recommend specific, effective treatment. You’ll be cared for by a skilled and experienced team from initial consultation right through to recovery and aftercare, should you need it.
Over 97% of our orthopaedic patients would happily recommend us to their family and friends and we have a higher proportion of 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other private healthcare group in the UK.
Over 97% of our orthopaedic patients would happily recommend us to their family and friends and we have a higher proportion of 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other private healthcare group in the UK.
Dupuytren's contracture (or palmar fibromatosis) is a common condition that affects the ligaments in your hand. It’s benign, meaning it’s not cancerous, but in advanced cases, it can cause pain and affect your hand’s movement.
Dupuytren's contracture causes lumps of collagen to form on the ligaments in your palm. As those lumps grow, they can become cords which stretch between your palm and one or more of your fingers. If those cords grow and tighten, they can make your fingers harder to stretch fully or pull the affected fingers towards your palm. It’s not usually painful, but it can feel tender, and in advanced cases, it can severely affect your ability to use your hand.
Dupuytren's contracture causes lumps of collagen to form on the ligaments in your palm. As those lumps grow, they can become cords which stretch between your palm and one or more of your fingers. If those cords grow and tighten, they can make your fingers harder to stretch fully or pull the affected fingers towards your palm. It’s not usually painful, but it can feel tender, and in advanced cases, it can severely affect your ability to use your hand.
The exact cause of Dupuytren’s contracture isn’t known yet, but some groups of people are more likely to develop the condition. It’s more common in men of middle age and older, more common in people from Northern Europe and Scandinavia, and you’re also more likely to develop the condition if you have family members who suffer from it.
It’s also more associated with people who smoke, use alcohol heavily or who have diabetes.
It’s also more associated with people who smoke, use alcohol heavily or who have diabetes.
If the lumps are small, aren’t painful and don’t restrict your hand movement, you may not need any treatment at all. It’s often best to wait and see if your initial symptoms continue to develop.
Early-stage Dupuytren’s contracture can sometimes be treated with steroid injections to reduce any pain or inflammation, or with an injection of an enzyme called collagenase which can soften and break down the lumps.
If the lumps get bigger, or begin to form cords between your palm and your fingers, your consultant might recommend one of the following treatments:
- Percutaneous needle fasciotomy: A fine needle is inserted into your palm and used to make tiny incisions in the cord so your surgeon can straighten your finger. It doesn’t require any stitches and it’s carried out under local anaesthetic, so it often be done in an outpatient clinic rather than an operating theatre. It’s fast, effective and quick to recover from.
- Open fasciectomy: This is surgery that removes tissue, rather than just cutting it. Your surgeon will make in incision in your palm or finger and cut away the thickened cord in several places to allow your finger to straighten. You will usually be under general anaesthetic, but you should be able to go home the same day. It takes longer to recover from, and you will need physical therapy to help restore full movement in your hand.
- Dermofasciectomy: This is similar to an open fasciectomy, but it’s rarely needed. It’s used in more severe cases with larger lumps and cords, where some of the skin on your finger needs to be removed alongside the tissue. Your surgeon will then need to take a small patch of skin from your forearm to cover the gap left on your finger.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist hand and wrist consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
DUPUYTREN’S CONTRACTURE TREATMENT
What to expect
Dupuytren’s contracture can have a range of effects on your palm and fingers, and treatment can vary depending on your condition. Our skilled, experienced hand and wrist consultants and their teams will make sure that you’re listened to, looked after and treated with care at every stage of the process, from your first contact with us right through to any recovery and aftercare you need.
01
Initial consultation
The most important step is to talk to a GP. They’ll ask about your overall health and your medical history before thoroughly examining your hand. Your physician will feel for the presence of lumps in your palm and fingers and check how well your fingers move. You may be advised to wait and return for a follow-up to monitor your condition or be referred to a specialist hand and wrist consultant.
02
Investigation and diagnostics
If you are referred to a specialist, they’ll thoroughly examine your hand again, feeling for the lumps and cords in your fingers to get an exact idea of the location and severity of your condition. They may measure how far you can move your fingers, check for puckering on your skin, and test how hard you can grip and pinch. You’ll also have a tabletop test, where your palm is pressed down against a flat surface to see if your fingers fully flatten. Imaging tests such as an ultrasound, an MRI or an X-ray might be needed to provide a more detailed picture.
03
Treatment
Any surgical treatment you need will depend on your specific condition, and how much it’s affecting the use of your hand. There are a range of surgical treatments available for Dupuytren’s contracture that can loosen or remove the tissue that’s restricting your movement. They are explained in detail in the ‘Why choose us’ section earlier in this page, and your surgeon will talk you through your specific procedure beforehand.
04
Aftercare and recovery
Percutaneous needle fasciotomy doesn’t require an incision, so you should be able to get back to using your hand normally after a few days. If you have surgery, it will take a few weeks for your hand to heal, and longer for your full hand function to return. You’ll be given medication to help with any pain and swelling, and our hand therapy team will give you specific exercises to help rebuild your strength and mobility.
Locations
Where can I get Dupuytren’s contracture treatment?
Specialist hand and wrist consultants can diagnose and treat your condition at our hospitals across London, and at our flagship hospitals in Birmingham and Manchester.
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road Wilmslow SK9 1NY Cheshire
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Dupuytren’s contracture treatment FAQ
If you're experiencing symptoms of the condition, with difficulty using your hand due to the curled fingers, you should see a specialist hand and wrist surgeon.
If symptoms are mild, you might be asked to have regular follow-ups to check if any progression has occurred before treatment is suggested. If symptoms are more severe, your consultant will discuss your treatment options and tailor these to your needs.
If symptoms are mild, you might be asked to have regular follow-ups to check if any progression has occurred before treatment is suggested. If symptoms are more severe, your consultant will discuss your treatment options and tailor these to your needs.
In the early stages of Dupuytren’s contracture, you might have small, firm lumps under the skin in your palm, often at the base of your ring or little finger. The lumps may feel tender or painful, and the skin over those lumps might also feel develop indentations.
Your consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you might have. Like all procedures, there may be risks and side effects, which will vary depending on your specific treatment or surgery. Your consultant will explain these to you and advise you on how to prepare for your particular treatment.
The main risk associated with more conservative treatments, such as the percutaneous needle fasciotomy, is the chance of the thickened tissue returning in the same place (recurrence). Other risks include nerve or tendon injury.
If you receive surgery for Dupuytren's contracture, the main risks or complications include:
- Pain
- Nerve injury
- Infection
- Swelling
- Skin sensitivity
- Return of the thickened tissue (recurrence)
Needle fasciotomies are usually successful procedures. However, there has been reported return of Dupuytren's contracture after five years in 60-80% of people. In this case, your consultant may suggest surgery. Surgery provides better long-term outcomes and decreases the chances of the condition returning.
After surgery you will need specialist physiotherapy. Our hand therapy team will work with you to help you regain movement in your finger. In some cases, a hand splint might be recommended to stretch the healing tissues.
After surgery you will need specialist physiotherapy. Our hand therapy team will work with you to help you regain movement in your finger. In some cases, a hand splint might be recommended to stretch the healing tissues.
After surgery for Dupuytren's contracture, you will likely have stitches and a bandage, so you won't be able to drive until these are removed. This is usually after 12 to 14 days. A week or so later, you should make sure you're able to hold the steering wheel and change gears safely without pain before driving again. Always discuss this with your surgeon.
After surgery, you can expect to return to work within two to four weeks, depending on your recovery and what your job involves. Your consultant will discuss this with you. After the percutaneous needle fasciotomy, you can often go back a day or two later.
Our patients’ stories
Andy’s story: Keeping his music alive after his thumb surgery
After being diagnosed with arthritis by his doctor, Andy was referred to Mr Mark Phillips, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at London Bridge Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK.
“Our hands are essential for so many everyday tasks. Using your hands is something you don't fully appreciate until you're in pain or you can't use one.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.