Diagnosis and indications for surgical treatment

Dupuytren's disease is a common problem in most hand surgery practices. It is usually easily diagnosed by the presence of its primary palmar manifestations: the nodule, the cord, and the digital flexion contracture. The isolated nodule may occasionally require biopsy to rule out the possibility of malignancy, but this is unusual. The nodule is typically the first lesion to appear and is the site of active biologic activity. The cord is the pathologically thickened and shortened normal longitudinal fascial structure of the palm and digit. Its insertion distal to the MPJ or PIP accounts for the progressive flexion contracture of these joints. Secondary findings include knuckle pads, plantar fascial nodules, and penile fascial contracture, which may signal the presence of Dupuytren's diathesis, a particularly aggressive form of the disease. The need and advisability of surgical intervention should be determined in close consultation with the patient after becoming thoroughly familiar with functional deficits and specific functional goals. A flexion contracture of more than 30 degrees at the MPJ or any contracture at the PIP is generally thought to be an indication for palmar fasciectomy. Patients should be aware of potential complications, those in higher risk categories should be identified preoperatively. Details of the operative procedure and variations in technique are discussed in subsequent articles in this issue.