[Dupuytren's contracture limited to the distal interphalangeal joint--a case report]

A case of Dupuytren's contracture involving only the distal interphalangeal joint of the right little finger is reported. The contracture developed gradually during 6 months, after a minor trauma of this finger. Distal phalanx was fixed in 60 degrees flexion in the distal and 30 degrees flexion in the proximal interphalangeal joints, but it did not disturbed patient's normal daily activity. Proximal interphalangeal flexion was easy reducible, but distal phalanx was settled in fixed flexion deformity. No pathology was seen in the palmar aspect of the midhand. At the exploration, a thickened 1 cm long cord localised at the radial side of the distal interphalangeal joint and extending across this joint was identified, and excised. This resulted in full correction of the flexion deformity. Histopathological examination revealed excised cord to be a fibrous tissue, typical for the Dupuytren's contracture.