Treatment begins with a consultation with your experienced specialist Consultant Plastic Surgeon, who will assess your condition and answer all of your questions about surgery.
Dupuytren’s Contracture At A Glance
Time
from 45 minutes
Price
from £950 and £195 consultation
Treatment
Surgery with a Consultant
Recovery
2-4 weeks
Do
Elevate wrist, keep dressing dry
Don't
Lift anything heavy
Dupuytren’s Contracture Treatment in Leeds
Dupuytren's Contracture is a hand condition that can cause one or more fingers to bend inwards towards the palm of your hand. Whilst the condition is usually not painful, being unable to straighten the fingers can become very inconvenient and make it difficult to perform everyday tasks.
Our specialist Hand and Wrist Consultant Plastic Surgeons treat Dupuytren's Contracture through procedures carried out in one of our Minor Operating Suites.
Dupuytren's contracture affecting the ring finger
What is Dupuytren's Contracture?
Dupuytren's Contracture is also known as Dupuytren's Disease.
It occurs when the connective tissue under the skin on the palm of your hand thickens and nodules begin to form, which can gradually contract, prevent your fingers from fully straightening.
It most often affects the ring finger and little finger, but can occur in any digit or the feet. Patients with the condition can often see thickening, bumps and pitting on the parts of the palm of their hand that serve the affected fingers.
What are my options for Dupuytren's Contracture treatment?
There are two options to treat Dupuytren's Contracture. Both are carried out under local anaesthetic and you will return home the same day.
Surgical Fasciectomy is the surgical procedure which may be the recommended option for patients with more advanced or longstanding Dupuytren's Contracture.
Your surgeon will open the skin on the palm of the hand. They will then carefully remove tightened tissue and nodules that are restricting the fingers' movement. Finally, they will carefully stitch the skin, apply protective dressings, and provide aftercare instructions.
You will often need to seek the advice of our physiotherapy partners to optimise recovery, and you may need to return for a check that your wound is healing well a week after surgery.
Needle Fasciotomy is a minor procedure during which your surgeon will use a needle to try to loosen the tightened tissues on the affected fingers.
The surgeon will use a needle in several places along the palm of the hand to carefully break up the inflexible tissue and nodules.
Needle fasciotomy is a quicker and less invasive treatment suited to specific patterns of early disease, but there is a higher chance of the condition returning sooner.
Can I choose which treatment to have?
In your consultation, your surgeon will examine your hand(s) and take a history of your symptoms. They will then recommend the most suitable treatment for you. This may be needle fasciotomy, fasciectomy or a combination of the two.
Sending in some photos using our Online Consultation may help with assessing your suitability before you book in to the clinic.
How long does it take for Dupuytren's Contracture treatment to work?
Once the disease has been excised (removed), your fingers will be able to straighten more fully. But your hand will need some time to recover from treatment:
When can I return to work after a Needle Fasciotomy?
You will be able to use your hand soon after treatment, but you can expect recovery to take around two weeks. During this time, it is normal to feel some soreness in the treated area.
When can I return to work after a Surgical Fasciectomy?
You will be able to use your hand after a few days but full recovery from this procedure normally takes longer than after Needle Fasciotomy. However, your condition is less likely to return after fasciectomy surgery.
Bruising and soreness may last several weeks, and it is likely to be two months or longer before the hand is fully recovered. You may benefit from carrying out physiotherapy or specific exercises to help the recovery and healing process.
You are likely to be able to undertake light work after a couple of weeks, and heavier work after a month or so.
Your Consultant Plastic Surgeon will discuss your recovery and aftercare with you in detail, in order to help you plan your surgery before booking in for the procedure.
Are there any complications of Dupuytren's treatment?
Complications from Dupuytren's Contracture treatments are usually limited to tenderness and irritation in the treated area as it heals. Very rarely, wounds can be slow to heal.
We will discuss all the pros and cons of surgery in your Consultation, which will take place with the Consultant Plastic Surgeons who conduct your procedure.
Considering this procedure?
Dupuytren’s Contracture Treatment prices
All procedures are carried out by a specialist Hand & Wrist Consultant Plastic Surgeon.
| Consultation with Consultant | £195 |
| Dupuytren's Contracture treatment | from £950 |
It may also be helpful to send some photos first using our free Online Consultation to assess your suitability before you book in to the clinic.
