Overview

Dupuytren contracture is a condition that causes one or more fingers to bend toward the palm of the hand. The affected fingers can't straighten completely.

Knots of tissue form under the skin. They eventually create a thick cord that can pull the fingers into a bent position. The condition gradually gets worse with time.

Dupuytren contracture most often affects the two fingers farthest from the thumb. This can complicate everyday activities such as placing your hands in your pockets, putting on gloves or shaking hands.

There's no cure for Dupuytren contracture. Treatments can relieve symptoms and slow how quickly the condition gets worse.

Symptoms

Dupuytren contracture gets worse slowly, over years. The condition begins with a firm lump in the palm of the hand. This lump can be painful or painless.

Over time, the lump can extend into a hard cord under the skin and up into the finger. This cord tightens and pulls the finger toward the palm, sometimes severely.

Dupuytren contracture most commonly affects the two fingers farthest from the thumb. The condition often occurs in both hands.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Causes

The cause of Dupuytren contracture is unknown. The condition tends to run in families. It’s more common in men than in women.

Risk factors

Risk factors for Dupuytren contracture include:

  • Age. Dupuytren contracture occurs most commonly after the age of 50.
  • Sex. Men are much more likely to develop Dupuytren than are women. In men, symptoms may be worse and progress more quickly.
  • Ancestry. People of Northern European descent are at higher risk of the disease.
  • Family history. Dupuytren contracture often runs in families.
  • Occupation. Some studies show a connection between Dupuytren contracture and workers who use vibrating tools.
  • Diabetes. People with diabetes have an increased risk of Dupuytren contracture.
  • Tobacco and alcohol use. Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol both increase the risk of Dupuytren contracture.

Sept. 28, 2023
  1. Frontera WR, et al., eds. Dupuytren contracture. In: Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 3, 2022.
  2. Ferri FF. Dupuytren contracture. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2023. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 3, 2022.
  3. Dupuytren contracture. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal-and-connective-tissue-disorders/hand-disorders/dupuytren-contracture?query=dupuytren. Accessed Oct. 3, 2022.
  4. AskMayoExpert. Dupuytren contracture. Mayo Clinic; 2022.
  5. Aggarwal R, et al. Dupuytren contracture. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 3, 2022.
  6. Rizzo M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Oct 25, 2022.

Related

News from Mayo Clinic

Products & Services