Blog
Myofibroblast Biology
Myofibroblast biology is at the heart not only of Dupuytren’s, but of other diseases not related to Dupuytren’s. Myofibroblasts are major players in pulmonary fibrosis, cirrhosis, renal fibrosis and arteriosclerosis. Studies of myofibroblast biology in these conditions may shed light on potential new treatment strategies for Dupuytren’s. Gains in the
Pregnancy, Dupuytren’s and Relaxin
Relaxin is a natural hormone which does many things and normally increases during pregnancy. It has been shown to have a range of antifibrotic actions: it inhibits collagen synthesis, increases collagenase activity, inhibits the profibrotic factors TGFß and Interleukin1-ß, and prevents fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts. How does it work? Is
A Surgeon’s Perspective of Dupuytren’s
A very readable review of Dupuytren’s Disease from a surgeon’s perspective: https://www.dupuytrens.org/DupPDFs/1985_Hill.pdf
To understand Dupuytren’s, first understand women.
Is Dupuytren’s a tumor – an independent growth, or is it a reaction of normal tissues to a stimulus? Is a woman one person or several people sharing the same body? This paper answers both questions. Every female human has two X chromosomes, one from each parent, but in any
Fasciotomy versus fasciectomy for Dupuytren’s
Fasciectomy and fasciotomy were compared in this study with some interesting observations. Initially after procedure, fasciotomy was better than fasciectomy in straightening fingers, but this advantage was lost over time as fasciotomy had earlier recurrences than fasciectomy. Fasciectomy had better results at correcting PIP joint contractures, both early and late.
Partial Fasciectomy for Dupuytren’s
Dupuytren’s patients need two things: first, a way to prevent disease progression and recurrence; second, the simplest, safest way to straighten fingers bent by Dupuytren’s. While working and waiting on the first, there are choices for the second. One of these is limited or partial fasciectomy, which has the advantage
TGF-ß2 and Dupuytren’s
What if Dupuytren’s is due to slightly abnormal levels of a normal hormone, protein or other molecule in the system? If so, one of the most likely suspects would be Transforming Growth Factor Beta Two: TGF-ß2. This protein is part of the autocrine system (a chemical instant messaging system which
Deformity, aggressiveness and severity of Dupuytren’s
When is the most effective time to treat Dupuytren’s and what is the best treatment? These are not easy questions. Dupuytren’s responds differently and recurs differently in different people: starting with the same deformity (how bent the fingers are), people who do worse are described as having “aggressive” Dupuytren’s. Severity
Sex and Dupuytren’s in Boston
Dupuytren’s is fairly common in Boston, but seems different than the European flavor in terms of sex. The numbers on almost 2000 Boston Dupuytren’s patients were sorted out, and here’s how things roll in Boston: men develop Dupuytren’s almost twice as often as women, but it may seem like more
Recent Dupuytren Publications
- Challenges and innovations in the surgical treatment of advanced Dupuytren disease by percutaneous needle fasciotomy: indications, limitations, and medico-legal implications
- Adjuvant Treatment with Celecoxib after Collagenase Injection for Dupuytren Contracture: A Double-Blind Randomised Controlled Trial
- Biochemical and Histological Differences between Longitudinal and Vertical Fibres of Dupuytren's Palmar Aponeurosis and Innovative Clinical Implications
- Alterations in the Structure, Composition, and Organization of Galactosaminoglycan-Containing Proteoglycans and Collagen Correspond to the Progressive Stages of Dupuytren's Disease
- CASTing the net wider: A case report of PLACK syndrome associated with dilated cardiomyopathy