Dupuytren’s Disease

If you notice lumps in your palm or thickened cords forming in your hands, you might have Dupuytren's disease. This condition happens when the tissue that connects your palm's skin to your hand thickens.

Patients are encouraged to monitor the site for changes. Treatment options include injections and surgery.

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On this page:

• What Is Dupuytren’s Disease?
• What Are the Symptoms of Dupuytren’s Disease?
• How Do You Diagnose Dupuytren’s Disease?
• How Do You Treat Dupuytren’s Disease?

What Is Dupuytren's Disease?

Dupuytren's disease causes the tissue in the palm to thicken and tighten. It starts with lumps and sometimes leads to cords that pull the fingers toward the palm.

What causes Dupuytren's disease?

It is often genetic, meaning it was passed down from parents. It is more common in people with ancestors from Scandinavia or the British Isles.

What are the risk factors for Dupuytren’s disease?

• Alcohol use – Heavy drinking might increase your risk.
• Genetics – The biggest risk is your family history. If your parents had it, you're more likely to get it.
• Hand injury – Sometimes, a broken or injured hand can lead to Dupuytren's-related lumps.
• Sex – Men get Dupuytren's disease more often than women.

Complications of Dupuytren's disease

Most people only get lumps. It's impossible to predict if your fingers will bend. Nothing you do will change this risk.

If your finger is very bent, surgery might not be able to straighten it completely.

How common is Dupuytren's disease?

Dupuytren's disease is common. About 5% of people in the United States get it.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Dupuytren's Disease?

You'll notice lumps and cords in your palm. Sometimes, the fingers start to bend, but that doesn't happen to everyone.

When should I see a doctor about my Dupuytren's disease?

If you have lumps or cords and aren't sure what they are, a plastic surgeon can help figure it out. If your finger is bending, you and your doctor can talk about straightening it.

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How Do You Diagnose Dupuytren's Disease?

Doctors diagnose Dupuytren's disease by talking to you and looking at your hand.

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How Do You Treat Dupuytren's Disease?

Treatment is not offered for lumps. Treatment is available for bent fingers, usually when they bend 30 degrees or more. Treatment doesn't cure Dupuytren's disease, and the bending can come back.

Options include:

• Collagenase injections — Medication is injected to break down the cord. A few days later, the doctor straightens your finger. Insurance might not cover these injections. You'll have small skin breaks that heal in weeks.
• Needle release — After numbing, a needle cuts the cord in multiple spots. Then the finger is straightened. You'll have small skin breaks that heal in weeks.
• Surgery — For severe bends, surgery removes the thickened tissue.

How effective is treatment for Dupuytren's disease?

Injections and needle release are usually equally effective. About 1 in 3 people find their finger bends again within three years.

With surgery, only 1 in 5 people find their finger bends again within five years.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-04-04 by Teun Teunis, MD, PhD.