Dupuytren's contracture

Definition:

A painless thickening and contracture of tissue beneath the skin on the palm of the hand.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of the contracture is unknown, but minor trauma and genetic predisposition may play a role. One or both hands may be affected. The ring finger is affected most often followed by the little, middle, and index fingers. A small, painless nodule develops in the connective tissue and eventually develops into a cord-like band. Extension of the fingers becomes difficult to impossible with advanced cases. The incidence increases after the age of 40, and men are affected more often than women. Risk factors are alcoholism, epilepsy, pulmonary tuberculosis, diabetes, and liver disease.