Cleland's ligaments and Dupuytren's disease

The aim of this study was to investigate whether Cleland's ligaments are affected by Dupuytren's disease and assess their contribution to the flexion contracture of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. Twenty patients with Dupuytren's disease undergoing fasciectomy for a PIP joint contracture > 40° (mean 61°, range 45°-100°) were included. After excision of all other identifiable digital disease, Cleland's ligaments were assessed. If they appeared to be macroscopically affected by Dupuytren's disease they were excised, sent for histological analysis, and any further improvement of PIP joint contracture was recorded. There were 14 males and six females with a mean age of 62 (range 40-79) years. Excision of Cleland's ligaments resulted in a mean further correction of 7° (range 0°-15°). Histological analysis indicated that Cleland's ligament was clearly involved with Dupuytren's disease in 12 patients, indicating that Cleland's ligaments can be affected by Dupuytren's disease. In the remaining specimens the histological findings were equivocal. As these structures are situated dorsal to the neurovascular bundles, a specific dissection has to be undertaken to identify them. Excision of Cleland's ligaments at digital fasciectomy further avoids leaving residual disease and may yield a worthwhile further correction of PIP joint flexion contracture.