Dupuytren’s disease is a condition of the hand that replaces normal digital and palmar fascia (bands and sheaths) with abnormal fibrous tissue (nodules and cords) consisting of immature fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and Type III collagen. Dupuytren’s disease is particularly common in people of Northern European descent and is associated with alcoholism, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and the use of anticonvulsant medications. The condition is rare in children; its incidence increases with age (40 to 60 years of age). It is also seen more commonly in men and frequently involves both hands. Some patients may have a more aggressive form of the disease (diathesis), and are noted to have a strong family history, early onset of the disease, bilateral hand involvement, and ectopic deposits (foot and penile involvement).

Often, patients present for evaluation of “lumps” (nodules) in the palm, which may or may not be painful. More commonly, they have progressive, painless flexion contractures of the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints, and occasionally, the distal interphalangeal joint. Contractures of the ring and small finger are the most common, although the thumb, thumb web space, and other digits also can be affected.