Key takeaways

  • Dupuytren’s contracture can worsen over time if not treated, leading to fingers bending permanently toward the palm and potentially requiring surgery to regain function.
  • The condition can significantly affect daily activities that require hand use, making tasks such as typing, gripping objects, and even personal hygiene challenging.
  • While there’s no cure, various treatments can manage symptoms and improve hand function, and a doctor can help determine the best course of action for each case.

Dupuytren’s contracture causes one or more fingers to bend toward your palm. About 3% of people in the U.S. have this condition, and it’s thought to have a strong genetic component.

Also known as Dupuytren’s disease, the condition affects the palmar fascia, the connective tissue in your hand. Over time, this tissue thickens and shortens, causing affected fingers to gradually pull inward.

If you’ve been diagnosed with Dupuytren’s contracture, it’s natural to have questions about how the condition may progress and what complications could occur. Talking with a healthcare professional about your own unique circumstances is crucial.

Understanding some common facts about possible complications can help you prepare for that conversation and know what to watch for.

Dupuytren’s contracture is considered a progressive condition. Without treatment, the fibrous tissue (palmar fascia) in your hand may continue to thicken over time.

Progression is usually gradual. You may notice changes developing over several months or years rather than sudden shifts. Early on, the affected fascia may thicken and form cord-like structures under the skin on the palm side of your hand. As these cords grow, they can slowly pull one or more fingers inward.

Some people also notice skin changes before a contracture develops. These may include small nodules or areas of skin pitting that look dimpled. These changes are often painless and are considered early signs of Dupuytren’s disease, while finger contractures are typically a later complication.

Age can also play a role. If Dupuytren’s disease begins at a younger age, you may be more likely to develop contractures over time.

That said, not everyone with early stage Dupuytren’s disease will experience worsening symptoms.

Some research suggests that symptoms may stabilize, or even improve, in about 50% to 70% of people. Other studies estimate that about 1 in 20 people with Dupuytren’s disease will go on to develop contractures.

As the fascia in your palm shortens, you may lose the ability to fully extend your fingers. Over time, this can cause one or more fingers to remain bent toward your palm.

Dupuytren’s contracture doesn’t always require treatment in its early stages, especially if symptoms are mild or not bothersome. However, the condition progresses over time. Without treatment to help straighten affected fingers, contractures may become more pronounced.

Researchers are continuing to explore whether early intervention could help slow progression or reduce the risk of contractures.

A 2024 review suggests that other nonsurgical options might be helpful in early stages before symptoms worsen. This may include physical therapy, splinting, or corticosteroid injections.

A 2023 study suggests that targeted therapies, including injections targeting tumor necrosis factor (TNF), may improve nodules in the hand while slowing progression.

It’s common for Dupuytren’s contracture to make everyday activities that rely on hand use more difficult. How much you’re affected often depends on which fingers are involved, whether one or both hands are affected, and how advanced the condition is.

For example, typing, playing the piano, and other finger-dominant activities may become more challenging. You may also find it difficult to perform other activities that require the use of your entire hand, including:

  • opening doors
  • carrying boxes or other large objects
  • holding mugs and cups
  • getting dressed
  • certain hygiene tasks
  • walking your dog on a leash

Although Dupuytren’s contracture isn’t necessarily painful, fingers that bend toward your palm can make it harder to place your hand flat against surfaces. Not only can this be uncomfortable, but it may also cause difficulty with certain positions and activities, such as:

  • placing your hands on a table or in your lap
  • putting your hands in your pockets
  • wearing gloves
  • holding a smartphone or tablet
  • doing floor-based exercises, such as yoga

Yes, Dupuytren’s contracture can affect both hands, though symptoms don’t always develop in the same way on each side. In other words, you may have Dupuytren’s contractures affecting different fingers on both hands.

In addition, contractures can affect more than one finger on the same hand. The most commonly affected fingers are the ring and pinky fingers, although any finger can develop a contracture.

Consider talking with a doctor if Dupuytren’s disease progresses to a point where symptoms significantly interfere with your daily activities — at work, at home, and with hobbies you enjoy.

If surgery is recommended, it’s important to discuss the potential risks and complications associated with the procedure. These may include:

  • swelling
  • scarring
  • nerve damage
  • infection
  • hematoma
  • reduced blood flow to the fingers (digital ischemia)
  • worsening or recurring symptoms

There’s currently no cure for Dupuytren’s contracture. Without treatment to help straighten the affected fingers, the condition can lead to permanent finger bending toward the palm.

In some cases, limited intervention, ineffective treatment, or significant progression may contribute to long-term hand impairment. However, Dupuytren’s contracture doesn’t automatically lead to permanent disability, and experiences vary widely from person to person.

Surgery is the most effective treatment for restoring finger movement, but recurrence is possible. It’s estimated that about 20% of people who have surgery for Dupuytren’s contracture may experience a return of symptoms over time. If this happens, a doctor might recommend additional treatment or repeated surgery.

Dupuytren’s contracture is a later stage of Dupuytren’s disease that causes fingers to bend toward the palm. Without treatment, symptoms may worsen over time, and more advanced contractures may require surgery to restore movement.

Living with Dupuytren’s contracture can create challenges in everyday life, but there are strategies you can try that may help.

Because complications and progression vary widely, it’s crucial to talk with a healthcare professional about any changes in symptoms or quality of life. They can help you understand the best treatment options for your needs.