Best Dupuytren Contracture Doctors in Mumbai

Dupuytren Contracture also known as Dupuytren's disease or Dupuytren's fibrosis, is a medical condition characterised by the abnormal thickening and tightening of the tissue beneath the skin in the palm and fingers. This often leads to the fingers, primarily the pinkie and ring fingers, curling forward in a claw-like manner. In severe cases, it can cause deformities in the hand. The exact cause of Dupuytren contracture remains unknown, although there appears to be a hereditary component. Risk factors include advanced age (common after 50), male gender, Northern European ancestry, family history, certain professions that require intensive manual labour, diabetes, and lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption.

In Mumbai, cases of Dupuytren Contracture are not uncommon. At Apollo Hospitals Mumbai, a team of Dupuytren's contracture treatment doctors and specialists are available, offering state-of-the-art facilities and personalised treatment plans for patients.

Types/Stages of Dupuytren Contracture

Dupuytren contracture typically evolves through three stages:

• Nodular Stage: The early stage where small firm lumps or nodules appear in the palm.

• Cord Stage: Characterised by the formation of thick cords extending from the palm into the fingers causing them to bend towards the palm.

• Contracture Stage: The final stage where cords tighten further leading to significant impairment in hand function.

Symptoms of Dupuytren Contracture

The symptoms commonly observed by the Dupuytren's disease specialists may include:

• The presence of painless lumps or nodules in the palm

• Development of thick, rope-like cords in the palm and fingers

• Gradual bending of the fingers towards the palm

• Difficulty in laying the hand flat on a surface

• The presence of skin pits or grooves on the palm

• Impaired hand function and dexterity

Tests to Diagnose Dupuytren Contracture

The assessments by Dupuytren's syndrome specialists to provide the diagnosis typically involve:

• Physical Examination: Assessing finger flexibility and feeling for nodules in the hand.

• Tabletop Test: Checking if the patient can place their hand flat on a table surface.

• Finger Bend Test: This test assesses how much your finger can bend or straighten, helping to determine the severity of the condition.

• Grip Test: To evaluate the strength and flexibility of the hand.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Dupuytren Contracture at Apollo Hospitals Mumbai

At Apollo Hospitals Mumbai, orthopaedics who are the best Dupuytren's syndrome specialists may suggest the following treatment options:

• Non-Surgical Treatments: These include exercises for finger mobility and steroid and enzyme injections to soften nodules and weaken cords.

• Surgical Procedures: Fasciotomy (cutting of cords) or fasciectomy (removal of thickened tissue) are common procedures. In severe cases, dermofasciectomy (removal of skin and tissue) or even amputation may be recommended.