Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition that produces hard nodules on the palms of the hand, and can, in some cases, progress to the point that the affected person is unable to straighten the fingers. This condition is seen seven times more commonly in men than in women, usually starting in the 40’s and 50’s. The cause of Dupuytren’s is not well understood, but is seen often in people of Northern European decent. It has also been associated with diabetes, epilepsy, alcoholism, and smoking. It is most commonly found to occur in both hands, and can also affect the soles of the feet. Although it is not usually painful, the extreme bending of the fingers can make use of the hand difficult, such as getting the fingers around a large object, or putting the hand in a tight pants pocket or a glove.

Most cases are painless and simply observed, but if the contracture is severe, then the diseased tissue must be surgically removed. There is an experimental medicine that may allow physicians to treat this with injections, thereby avoiding surgery, but it has yet to receive FDA approval.