[Dorsal Dupuytren's disease]

Two different manifestations of the disease are discussed: hyperextension of the distal interphalangeal joint through mechanical fibrous contracture or through pathological involvement of the retinacular ligaments. Surgical correction is performed by transection of the contracted structures but this manifestation tends to be found in severe disease and thus to presage a poor prognosis. Dorsal localisations of the disease itself in the form of (1) knuckle pads when localized on the dorsal aspect of the PIP joint where they do not impair flexion, or (2) distal nodules situated dorsal to the extensor tendon and the IP joints and restricting the range of flexion. Surgical excision in group 2, when requested by patients, has enabled us to determine that the histological aspect is of Dupuytren's disease and that the post-operative course has been uneventful in our 12 operated cases.