Dupuytren's Disease (Dupuytren's Contracture)

Restoring Finger Motion While Reducing the Risk of Recurrence

Dupuytren's disease is a common condition in which abnormal scar-like tissue gradually develops beneath the skin of the palm and fingers. As these cords tighten over time, one or more fingers are slowly pulled toward the palm, making it increasingly difficult to straighten the hand.

Although the condition is not usually painful, it can interfere with everyday activities such as shaking hands, putting on gloves, placing your hand in a pocket, or simply laying your hand flat on a table.



Dupuytren's disease often runs in families and tends to progress gradually over many years.

When Is Surgery Recommended?

Not every patient with Dupuytren's disease requires treatment.

Surgery is generally considered when contracture begins to interfere with hand function or when the fingers can no longer be comfortably straightened.



The goal is to restore function while preserving normal sensation, circulation, and finger movement.

Our Surgical Approach

Dupuytren's surgery is one of Dr. Branch's favorite hand procedures because every patient presents a unique anatomical challenge.

The abnormal cords often surround and displace the delicate nerves and blood vessels of the fingers, requiring meticulous dissection under magnification to safely restore finger extension while protecting these critical structures.

One of the most important principles of successful surgery is recognizing when the skin itself has become permanently shortened.

Simply removing the diseased tissue beneath tight skin often leaves a skin deficit that places tension on the repair and may contribute to early recurrence.



For that reason, Dr. Branch makes liberal use of small full-thickness skin grafts whenever necessary to replace contracted skin and achieve a more durable correction. These grafts are considered an integral part of the operation and are not billed separately.

Why I Prefer Surgery

Several treatment options exist for Dupuytren's disease, including collagenase (Xiaflex®) injections and needle techniques in selected patients.

After discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, many patients choose surgery because it provides immediate correction of the contracture in a single procedure with one recovery period.

Dr. Branch has chosen not to incorporate collagenase injections into his practice. While they may be appropriate for selected patients, treatment typically involves an initial injection, several days of enzymatic tissue breakdown, a second visit to rupture the cord, frequent skin tears, and an additional healing period. In Dr. Branch's experience, many patients prefer a single definitive operation that allows the contracted tissue to be removed under direct visualization.



The treatment that is right for you depends on your age, overall health, severity of the disease, and personal goals.

What to Expect

Dupuytren's surgery is generally performed as an outpatient procedure.

Early hand therapy and supervised range-of-motion exercises play an important role in recovery and help maximize long-term finger motion.



Although improvement is usually immediate, swelling and stiffness gradually improve over several weeks. Because Dupuytren's disease is a progressive condition, recurrence remains possible regardless of the treatment method, although thoughtful surgical planning may help reduce that risk.

The Consultation Matters Most

Every case of Dupuytren's disease is different.

During your consultation, Dr. Branch will carefully evaluate the extent of your contracture, discuss the available treatment options, explain the expected recovery, and recommend the approach most likely to restore hand function while minimizing the risk of recurrence.

Our goal is not simply to straighten a finger.



It is to restore comfortable, functional use of your hand while providing the most durable correction possible.

Have Questions? Reach Out To Us Today.

Take This First Step – We’re Here For You!