Skip site navigation

Dupuytren’s disease

Dupuytren’s disease, Morbus Dupuytren or palmar fibromatosis, sometimes also called DD, Dupuytren’s contracture, or Viking disease, is a chronic disease that produces a benign thickening of the connective tissue, or fascia, of the palm and fingers. It usually begins with a small lump, called a nodule, in the palm or fingers that is often mistaken for a blister or callus. Eventually, string-like cords may develop beneath the skin and, if the condition progresses, the affected fingers are pulled towards the palm and cannot be straightened anymore. This condition is then known as Dupuytren’s contracture.

Dupuytren’s disease is one of a group of diseases which result in fibrosis or abnormal scar tissue. Dupuytren’s may run in families and is also associated with other related conditions that you can read about here. Although treatments and management strategies are available for this disease, there is currently no cure. The causes are still unknown.

Dupuytren’s is named after a French doctor, Baron Guillaume Dupuytren, who studied the condition in 1832.

Learn more

Our mission

  • To promote health by leading the fight against Dupuytren’s disease (DD) in Canada by helping people with DD live a healthy and functional life while we work to find a cure.
  • To promote health by finding the best available care and treatment for people suffering from DD and the related Ledderhose disease (LD).
  • To advance education related to DD by providing latest services and educational material to the public.
  • To promote health by encouraging the search for the underlying causes and subsequent cures for DD and LD.
Learn more

The treatments of the disease

If your finger is curling into your palm, the amount of deformity will be measured to determine the severity of the condition. In mild cases, no treatment may be recommended in most cases because there’s a chance the condition won’t get any worse. Radiation therapy is sometimes considered to stop or slow down the process if applied in early nodular stages. If the condition is more severe, treatment with medication or a minor procedure called a needle fasciotomy may be recommended. In the most severe cases, surgery to correct the problem may be recommended.

Learn more

Testimonials

B. from Alberta

« During the summer of 2013 while travelling on a road trip in the US with my family I noticed my hands were often stiff and sore after driving for an extended period. Upon closer examination I noticed small nodules or lumps had formed in the... »

View all

M. from Ontario

« I was diagnosed with Ledderhose which is a form of Dupuytrens in 2010. I spent a period of time being passed off from one doctor to another. Frustrated with the lack of information and treatment options. I finally performed independent google searches while sleep deprived... »

View all

J. from Alberta

« In early 2013, at the age of 46, I noticed a lump forming in the palm of my right hand near the base of my ring finger. In the spring of that year, I also noticed small lumps forming in my left hand as well.... »

View all
Consult the list of medical specialists View the list
In the
Research
Read more
Participate Read more

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter.