The palm of the hand contains a deep layer of tissue called the palmar fascia, which extends across the palm to the fingers. Dupuytren’s contracture is a shortening and thickening of the palm’s tissue that gradually causes clawing of the fingers as they are pulled towards the palm. There are various treatments for Dupuytren’s contracture.

Injection of corticosteroids into the fascia sometimes can help in mild cases. These medications reduce any localised tenderness and may help to delay subsequent thickening of the tissue. However, chances of recurrence are more after corticosteroids injection rather than definitive surgery.

Surgery – depending on the severity of the condition, surgery options may include: cutting the fascia bands through small incisions in the palm; removing the thickened fascia; removing the fascia and associated skin, and using a skin graft to seal the palm; or in severe cases amputation of an affected finger, if the contracture has returned so many times that corrective surgery is no longer possible.