Dupuytren’s Contracture in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Dupuytren’s contracture is a hand condition that can gradually affect your ability to straighten your fingers and use your hand for everyday tasks. In Grand Rapids, MI, residents who work with their hands, have a family history of the condition, or live with certain chronic health issues may be at higher risk and should know when to seek care from local specialists.

What Is Dupuytren’s Contracture?

Inside the palm of your hand is a deep layer of connective tissue called the palmar fascia. This tissue helps support the skin and structures of the palm and fingers.

In Dupuytren’s contracture, this fascia:

  • Becomes thickened and shortened
  • Forms nodules (lumps) and cords under the skin
  • Gradually pulls one or more fingers toward the palm

Any finger can be affected, but the ring finger and little finger are most commonly involved. Over time, the fingers may become “clawed” or stuck in a bent position.

The condition usually progresses slowly and in stages, often over many years.

Signs and Symptoms

Early and later-stage symptoms include:

  • A small lump or nodule in the palm
    • Often near the base of the ring or little finger
  • A firm cord under the skin
    • Feels like a tight band running from the palm into the finger
  • Finger bending (contracture)
    • The finger gradually bends toward the palm and cannot be fully straightened
  • “Bow” of the hand
    • As multiple fingers bend, the hand may appear curved or bowed
  • Skin changes
    • The skin on the palm may look dimpled, puckered, or thickened

Most people have little or no pain from Dupuytren’s contracture in the hand itself. However, the loss of motion can significantly affect daily activities such as:

  • Gripping tools (important for many Grand Rapids manufacturing and construction jobs)
  • Wearing winter gloves
  • Putting hands in pockets or using zippers during Michigan’s cold seasons
  • Playing instruments or sports

What Causes Dupuytren’s Contracture?

The exact trigger that causes the palmar fascia to thicken and contract is not fully understood. However, research has identified several risk factors.

Lifestyle and Occupational Risk Factors

  • Manual labor and vibration exposure
    Common in West Michigan industries such as:
    • Construction
    • Manufacturing
    • Automotive and tool use
  • Prior hand trauma or surgery
  • Smoking
  • Heavy alcohol use or alcohol use disorder

Medical Conditions Associated With Higher Risk

  • Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2) – common in Michigan’s adult population
  • Epilepsy
  • Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)
  • Peyronie’s disease
  • Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

People with rheumatoid arthritis appear to have a lower incidence of Dupuytren’s contracture.

Age, Gender, and Ancestry

  • Age: More common in middle-aged and older adults
  • Gender: Men are about three times more likely to develop the condition and often have more severe disease
  • Ancestry: Higher risk in people with Celtic or Scandinavian heritage, which is relatively common among some West Michigan families

Family History

Dupuytren’s contracture can run in families, suggesting a genetic component. If close relatives have had the condition, your risk is higher.

Other Associated Problems

While Dupuytren’s contracture mainly affects the hands, some people may also develop:

  • Enlargement or thickening of finger joints on the same hand
  • Ledderhose disease – thickening and shortening of the deep connective tissue in the foot, which can cause significant pain while walking

These related conditions are less common but important to mention if you see a hand specialist in Grand Rapids.

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Consider seeing a healthcare provider if you notice:

  • A new lump in your palm that does not go away
  • A finger that is gradually bending toward your palm
  • Difficulty:
    • Placing your hand flat on a table
    • Wearing winter gloves or holding a snow shovel
    • Gripping tools, steering wheels, or sports equipment

Early evaluation by a primary care provider, orthopedic surgeon, or plastic/hand surgeon in Grand Rapids can help determine whether treatment is needed now or if monitoring is appropriate.

How Dupuytren’s Contracture Is Treated

Treatment Depends on Severity

Not everyone with Dupuytren’s contracture needs surgery right away. Treatment options in Grand Rapids generally depend on:

  • How much the finger is bent
  • How quickly the condition is progressing
  • How much daily function is affected

Non-Surgical and Early-Stage Treatments

In earlier stages, when there is a lump or mild cord but limited contracture, options may include:

  • Corticosteroid injections

    • Injected directly into the fascia or nodule
    • May reduce local tenderness
    • May slow progression of thickening in some cases

  • Other emerging or specialized treatments (availability may vary by provider):

    • Calcium channel blocker therapy
    • Gamma-interferon therapy
    • Percutaneous needle fasciotomy (needle aponeurotomy)
      • A minimally invasive technique using a needle to divide the tight cord under the skin

Your hand specialist at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health can discuss which options are appropriate based on your specific case.

Surgery is usually considered when:

  • You cannot place your hand flat on a table or other flat surface
  • One or more fingers are significantly contracted into the palm
  • The hand is no longer functioning well for daily tasks or work

Surgical Options

Depending on the severity and prior treatments, surgery may include:

  • Fasciotomy or fasciectomy
    • Cutting or removing the thickened fascia to release the contracture
  • Skin release and grafting
    • Removing tight skin and using a skin graft to close the area when needed
  • Amputation of an affected finger
    • Reserved for severe, recurrent cases where other corrective surgeries are no longer possible and the finger is nonfunctional

Dupuytren’s contracture can return after surgery, either in the same area or elsewhere in the palm. When it recurs, it often progresses at a similar speed as before.

Recovery and Occupational Therapy in Grand Rapids

After surgery, hand therapy is essential to:

  • Improve healing
  • Restore strength and flexibility
  • Reduce the risk of recurrence

Common techniques include:

  • Splinting
    • Wearing a splint at night for several months to keep the finger straight
    • Sometimes wearing a splint during the day, based on your therapist’s guidance
  • Hand exercises
    • Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises to improve range of motion
  • Scar management
    • Techniques to soften and mobilize scar tissue

In Grand Rapids, occupational and hand therapy services are available through:

  • Hospital-based programs at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health
  • Independent hand therapy and rehabilitation clinics throughout Kent County

Living With Dupuytren’s Contracture in West Michigan

Because Michigan experiences long, cold winters, hand function is especially important for:

  • Shoveling snow and using snow blowers
  • Driving in winter conditions
  • Wearing and removing gloves and layered clothing

If you have early signs of Dupuytren’s contracture, discussing them with a local provider can help you plan ahead and maintain function throughout the year.

For people with diabetes, high cholesterol, or a history of heavy alcohol use, regular checkups with a primary care provider in Grand Rapids can also support early detection and management.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you think you may have Dupuytren’s contracture, consider:

  • Your primary care provider – first step for evaluation and referral
  • Orthopedic or plastic/hand surgeons at:
    • Spectrum Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health
    • Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health resources for:
    • Help finding primary care
    • Support for smoking cessation or alcohol use disorders
    • Diabetes and cholesterol management programs

Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help preserve hand function and quality of life for residents across Grand Rapids and West Michigan.