Home Remedies To Treat Dupuytren S Disease OrthoBethesda .G-Job 84

12/04/2022, 21:08 Home Remedies to Treat Dupuytren's Disease | OrthoBethesda
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Home Remedies to Treat Dupuytren’s Disease
We use our hands every day without thinking about it — whether we’re making a cup of coffee,
picking up the phone, typing at a desk or handling tools. As we age, different conditions can affect
manual dexterity and make simple tasks we took for granted much more difcult to accomplish.
Over time, Dupuytren’s disease, also known as Dupuytren’s contracture, can affect the palm of the
hand and the little and ring ngers. What is the best treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture?
Can Dupuytren’s contracture go away by itself? Learn about how this condition develops, what you
can do at home to treat it and when it is time to seek professional treatment from a doctor.
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What Is Dupuytren’s Disease?

Approximately 15 million Americans have Dupuytren’s contracture. The symptoms of Dupuytren’s
contracture vary depending on the progression of the disease. In the early stages, you may notice the
skin of your palm thickening. As it progresses, the Dupuytren’s disease condition will change
noticeably. The thickened skin on the palm of your hand may form a hard lump. Usually, this diseased
tissue is not painful to the touch, but it may be a bit sensitive. Eventually, that tissue will begin to
form cords that reach up through the palm to the ngers. As these cords tighten, they may cause the
ngers to contract.
In the later stages of the disease, the contraction of the ngers can become extreme, curling the
affected ngers very close to the palm. Typically, the ring and little ngers are affected by this
condition, although other ngers may be involved in rare cases. Dupuytren’s disease can also impact
both hands. If this is the case, the condition will usually be more severe on one hand.
The following groups of people may be at risk for developing Dupuytren’s disease:
Dupuytren’s disease is more likely to develop in older adults.

Genetics play a role in the likelihood of
developing Dupuytren’s contracture. If someone in your immediate family has the condition,
your risk of developing it is higher. Ancestry also plays a role. People with Northern European
descent in their family trees are at a higher risk.
Men have a higher risk than women of developing Dupuytren’s disease. They are also
more likely to develop severe cases.
Dupuytren’s contracture risk is linked to a number of
different health conditions, including epilepsy and diabetes. Additionally, alcoholism and
tobacco use have been linked to the condition. The contracture tends to be more severe in
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people with alcohol use disorder.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT DUPUYTREN’S DISEASE
Home Remedies for Dupuytren’s Disease

How do you reverse Dupuytren’s contracture? Unfortunately, there is no cure for Dupuytren’s
contracture. Treatment focuses on minimizing the systems of the disease. While medical treatment is
an option — and sometimes a necessity — there are a number of home remedies you can try to treat
Dupuytren’s contracture:
1. Reduce Palm Pressure

The skin on the palm of the hand is where this disease starts. You can help manage your symptoms by
protecting the affected hand or hands:
When we grip something like a tool or a cup of water, the palm usually
curls around the object. Try to remember to protect your hands whenever you need to grip
something by using lighter pressure.
Some objects, like various tools, require a tight grip in order to be used
effectively. Try to mitigate some of that pressure by wearing gloves or using a type of cushion,
such as tape, to minimize the amount of pressure being placed on your affected hand.
2. Try Exercises
Stretching does help Dupuytren’s contracture, and there a number of exercises you can do to help
manage this condition. Exercises and stretches will not necessarily stop or slow the progression of
the contracture, but they are helpful options during the early stages of Dupuytren’s disease:
In one of the most simple exercises, you can lay your palm at on a smooth
surface, like a table or desk. Next, practice raising each nger one at a time, pausing after
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each raise for a few seconds. You can repeat this exercise several times per day. 
With your palm on a at surface, you can also stretch your ngers by
spreading them wide and drawing them back in together.
Another exercise involves leaving your ngers at on a surface while raising and
lowering only your palm.
You can also try different exercises without a at surface. First, place your hands
in a prayer position. Then, gently push the palms and ngers of both hands together.
Another option is holding your hands in front of you, bending the rst two joints
of the ngers down and straightening them.
It’s important to remember to go easy on yourself. Stretching to the point of pain can do more harm
than good. If the contracture has already begun on any of your ngers, you can use your other hand
to push the ngers back into a straight position and hold for a few seconds. You can create an
exercise routine and stretch the affected hands multiple times a day.
While gripping with high pressure is not a recommended approach to managing this condition, you
can still practice the gripping motion. Picking up objects of different size and shape can help
maintain your grip strength and the dexterity in that hand. You can also practice gripping something
soft, like a towel, to help maintain a grasping motion.
Massage is a good follow-up to exercise, but it can be bene cial as a standalone activity. You can
conduct a gentle massage of the whole hand, including the palm and ngers, with your unaffected
hand. Or, you can ask a family member or friend to lend their hands to the task.
Remember to be gentle as you massage the hand. Rub the area including and around the thickening
tissue of the palm, and work your way up to the ngers. You may be able to nd a professional
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massage therapist with experience working with Dupuytren’s disease if you would like some outside 
help. When pursuing professional massage therapy, remember the earlier you get started the better.
Massage is less likely to help your symptoms in the later stages of the disease.
Massages may be accompanied by heat, oils and lotions. Products with anti-inammatory ingredients
may also be helpful. Alternatively, you can use a simple warm water soak or heat pack on your hand.
4. Eat a Healthy Diet

What you eat may seem unrelated to the condition of your hand, but diet changes can actually help
reduce the symptoms associated with Dupuytren’s contracture. If you are middle-aged or have a
condition like diabetes — roughly 5% of people with Dupuytren’s contracture have Type 1 or Type 2
diabetes — your doctor has probably already talked to you about the importance of making healthy
eating part of your life.
Once it becomes a habit, eating healthy may feel easy. But, if you aren’t sure where to start, it can
take a little time to learn what works for your new meal plan. A healthy diet does not necessarily
mean a boring or bland diet. It can vary widely from person to person. There are a few good rules to
follow:
Whether you are having a main dish or a dessert, try to keep the
amount you eat reasonable and listen to your body to eat to fullness.
When it comes to selecting foods, try to opt for whole and
fresh options. Try cooking with fresh vegetables instead of canned. Opt for fresh fruit instead
of canned fruit cocktail. Look for whole grains. These changes can help cut out unhealthy
ingredients, such as sugars and preservatives.
You can also opt for less fatty options of your favorite foods. Still
enjoy dairy products, but go with the low-fat version. Still include meat in your diet, but look
for healthier options. Try turkey burgers instead of beef burgers. Find new ways to cook lean
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meat, like chicken breast or sh.
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Foods eaten as a part of an anti-inammatory diet may be

a helpful consideration as well. These types of foods can include green leafy vegetables, fatty
sh, fruits and nuts.
Certain foods can potentially contribute to your symptoms. As a natural part of a healthy diet, you
will likely avoid large quantities of processed foods and foods high in salt, articial sweeteners and
additives.
5. Quit Smoking and Reduce Drinking

What aggravates Dupuytren’s contracture? Tobacco use is one of the top answers to this question.
Research has shown that smoking cigarettes has a statistically signicant link with Dupuytren’s
contracture. Smoking can result in microvascular impairment, which could play a role in developing
Dupuytren’s contracture.
Smoking cessation can be an important step early on in the progression of the disease. Eliminating
tobacco use can have a number of other benecial results for your health, including:
Reducing your risk of developing certain cancers

Improving lung function
Improving cardiovascular function
Reducing the risk of developing diabetes, which is a condition associated with a risk
of Dupuytren’s disease
Heavy drinking is also associated with a higher chance of getting this condition. Having a drink with
dinner or cocktails with friends is not likely to affect your risk of developing Dupuytren’s disease. But
heavy alcohol consumption can increase your risk and is associated with a number of potential
health problems, including high blood pressure and liver damage. Consider cutting back on your
alcohol consumption to help manage your condition.
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Alcohol use disorder and smoking cigarettes commonly go hand in hand. It can be difcult to quit
these addictive substances, and you may need outside support to do so, but the health benets can
be signicant.
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6. Take Supplements
In addition to eating healthy and embracing healthy lifestyle choices, you can add daily supplements
to your routine. Certain supplements can help reduce inammation, which may play a role in
managing the symptoms of Dupuytren’s disease. Though the efcacy of some supplements in relation
to Dupuytren’s disease is still debated, you can try adding these vitamins, minerals and spices to your
diet based on your doctor’s recommendations:
Vitamin E is an antioxidant. You likely ingest a certain amount in your regular diet,
but you can also take it as a supplement. Vitamin E may play a potential role in protecting the
body’s cells from damage.
Zinc is an important mineral for your overall health. It plays a role in a healthy immune
system and wound healing.
Magnesium, another important mineral, is an important part of any diet.
Sometimes you do not get enough of it through the foods you eat, which is why you can opt
to take a magnesium supplement. Low levels of magnesium have been connected to a higher
risk of developing diabetes.
Turmeric is a spice often used in cooking. It also widely used for its anti-
inammatory properties, which may be benecial for someone with Dupuytren’s disease.
MEET OUR DOCTORS WHO TREAT THE HAND & WRIST
Professional Treatment for Dupuytren’s Disease

Dupuytren’s disease treatment can be done to some extent at home, but there may come a time
when you need to talk to a professional. The progression of the disease is slow. Some people may
never experience the contracture of their ngers. The disease may simply remain in the early stages,
resulting only in thickening of the tissue on your palm.
In other cases, the disease may progress toward contraction. Carefully watch your symptoms over
time. If you notice a signicant change or the bend of your ngers begins to interfere with your daily
life, it is time to seek professional treatment. Do not wait until your nger is bent all the way to your
palm. Rather, seek help when your ngers reach a 20-degree or 40-degree bend. You can still
receive treatment for severe contracture, but the chances of the treatment resulting in a completely
straight nger are reduced.
The following are ways doctors can help treat Dupuytren’s disease:
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1. Injections
Front-line treatments for Dupuytren’s disease tend to be minimally invasive. Your doctor may suggest
an injection or a series of injections. While Dupuytren’s disease is typically characterized as painless,
some people may feel pain in the nodes of tissue that form in the palm. In this case, you may be a
candidate for a steroid injection. Steroids can reduce inammation and pain. You may need to have a
series of injections to manage your symptoms.
Steroids aren’t the only injection treatment available to people with Dupuytren’s disease. Some
patients may benet from collagenase injections. Collagenase is an enzyme designed to break down
collagen, the tough protein that makes up much of our connective tissue. While we need collagen in
our bodies, it makes up the cords that tighten and force the ngers toward contraction
in Dupuytren’s disease. The collagenase is injected directly into the cords in the hand with the goal of
breaking down that collagen.
Following the injection, usually the day after, your doctor will likely use manual manipulation of the
nger to continue breaking down the tissue and work your nger toward straight positioning. These
injections are FDA-approved. Like steroid injections, you may need to undergo more than one course
of treatment with collagenase.
2. Needling
Needle aponeurotomy, also called needling or percutaneous needle fasciotomy, is another minimally
invasive treatment option for Dupuytren’s disease. This treatment option, which can be performed in
your doctor’s ofce, involves placing a needle in the tough tissue that is causing the contracture of
your ngers. Your hand will be numbed before the procedure begins.
Your doctor will use the needle to puncture the tissue in your hand with the goal of separating that
tissue. The procedure will be followed by manual manipulation to help straighten the affected
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ngers. Needling may also be complemented by a steroid injection, which is given to reduce swelling. 
Following the needling procedure, you will need a few days to reduce swelling and soreness. You can
use an ice pack to help with these symptoms. While you can use the treated hand for small activities,
like eating, you will need one to two weeks to regain full use of the hand. Your doctor may also
instruct you to wear a brace on the affected hand following the procedure. Most people do not
require therapy following a needling procedure.
3. Surgery
Surgery may be necessary in more severe cases of Dupuytren’s disease. When the disease progresses
to the point of acute contracture that makes use of the hand difcult, minimally invasive treatment
options may no longer be viable. Surgery involves making an incision and removing the diseased
tissue. While surgery may be more invasive, it does have the benet of offering a longer-lasting
release of contracture.
Once the affected tissue is removed, your doctor will stitch the incisions closed. Following surgery,
your physician may prescribe therapy to help you during recovery and to improve the long-term
outcome of the procedure. You may also be required to wear splints and bandages following surgery.
The length of your recovery time following the procedure will depend on the severity of
the Dupuytren’s disease and the extent of the surgery.
In serious cases of Dupuytren’s disease, you may need to undergo revision surgery. The initial surgery
involves removing the affected tissue, but it does not address the underlying cause of the disease.
Revision surgery may be necessary to address the recurrence of the collagen causing the
contracture in your hand. These surgeries tend to be more complicated due to the presence of scar
tissue.
Undergoing surgery or a minimally invasive treatment does not mean you have to stop using your
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home remedies. Changes like a healthy diet and certain supplements can help improve your overall 
health and may help slow the progression of the disease. The medical community has yet to nd a
cure for Dupuytren’s disease, so there is a possibility it will return following treatment. Watch your
symptoms carefully, try out home remedies to see what works for you and ask for help when you
need it.
Seek Professional Treatment From OrthoBethesda

At OrthoBethesda, we understand the frustrating impact Dupuytren’s disease may have on your life.
Our skilled team is here to provide the treatment options that t your unique needs. If you think it is
time for professional treatment, reach out to us with questions, or book an appointment today.
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12/04/2022, 21:08 Home Remedies to Treat Dupuytren's Disease | OrthoBethesda

Home Remedies to Treat Dupuytren’s Disease

What Is Dupuytren’s Disease?

Dupuytren’s disease is more likely to develop in older adults.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DUPUYTREN’S DISEASE

Home Remedies for Dupuytren’s Disease

1. Reduce Palm Pressure

4. Eat a Healthy Diet

Foods eaten as a part of an anti-inammatory diet may be

5. Quit Smoking and Reduce Drinking

Reducing your risk of developing certain cancers

MEET OUR DOCTORS WHO TREAT THE HAND & WRIST

Professional Treatment for Dupuytren’s Disease

Seek Professional Treatment From OrthoBethesda

Quick Links Patient Resources

Contact Us Medical Records

Pay Online Patient Forms

Washington Joint Institute

1635 N. George Mason Drive #180 Arlington, VA

4420 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100 Arlington, VA

10215 Fernwood Road, Bethesda, MD 20817

Phone: (301) 804-1293

Monday-Friday: 7:30am – 5:00pm

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

email address Subscribe

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