What is it?
Dupuytren’s contracture can cause the fingers to bend down permanently. Once the hand is unable to be laid flat on a surface, treatment is warranted. There are different ways to treat Dupuytren’s contracture. One way is with surgery to surgical excise the diseased tissue to allow the finger to straighten. Another procedure is an office procedure that uses a new medication (Xiaflex) which can dissolve some of the Dupuytren’s contracture, then manipulate the digit to straighten the finger. Xiaflex cannot treat all forms of Dupuytren’s and an evaluation by a hand surgeon will be needed to determine which treatment would be best.
How is it Performed?
Surgery involves zig-zag incisions in the palm into the finger to carefully remove diseased tissue from the finger to allow the finger to straighten. After surgery, the finger is placed in an extension splint and extensive hand therapy is required to help regain mobility and function.Xiaflex treatment is an office procedure which involves 2 visits. The first visit is to inject the enzyme into the Dupuytren’s cord. The next day, the hand is numbed with a numbing injection and the finger is manipulated into a straight position by ‘popping’ the contracture. Night extension splinting is instituted and occasionally hand therapy is needed to help regain mobility.
