Dupuytren’s contracture is a disorder of the hand that is more common amongst people with diabetes. The first sign is often a tender nodule (a small bump) in the palm, near the base of the fingers. It progresses slowly and usually painlessly to cause the fingers to bend inwards towards the palm, so you can no longer fully open your hand.
Scar tissue is thought to accumulate under the skin on the palm (the fascia), thickening and shortening the tissue. This restricts the movement of the tendons, the cord like structures that connect muscle to bone.
Like limited joint mobility, Dupuytren’s contracture can be a marker of microvascular complications (kidney and eye disease).
Physiotherapy may help some people with Dupuytren’s contracture, as may local steroid injections to reduce any inflammation. Ultrasound may also help.