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Stretching may provoke Dupuytren’s

The relationships between mechanical forces and the biochemistry of Dupuytren’s are only recently being sorted out. Clinically, Dupuytren’s activity responds to changes in mechanical stresses: active nodules soften in response to reducing tension by adjacent fasciotomy; disease activity after fasciectomy may be provoked by overly aggressive stretching and splinting. Biochemically,

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The Open Palm Technique for Dupuytren’s

The Open Palm Technique for Dupuytren’s contracture has advantages – lack of hematoma, lower incidence of sympathetic dystrophy. The classic McCash version of this procedure combines closure of zigzag finger incisions, leaving transverse palm wounds open. The Burkhalter version, developed by Dr. Mann, employs only transverse incisions in the palm

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Chondroitin Sulfate, Dermatan Sulfate and Dupuytren’s

Dermatan sulfate is similar to the nutritional supplement chondroitin sulfate, and used to be called chondroitin sulfate. Dermatan sulfate is unusually abundant in fascia affected by Dupuytren’s. Is it the cause or is it the effect of the abnormal biology of Dupuytren’s? Maybe both, as discussed in this review: https://dupuytrens.org/DupPDFs/2007_Kozma.pdf

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Open fasciotomy for Dupuytren’s

 Patients with Dupuytren’s need two things, mechanical and biological. The former, a simple and safe way to straighten bent fingers, and the latter, a way to prevent disease progression and recurrence. This article reviews pros and cons of a simple mechanical treatment, open fasciotomy, for severe contractures in a group

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Genetic determined biochemistry and Dupuyren’s

The genetic basis of Dupuytren’s is explained by the genetic basis of individual biochemistry and enzymatic variation. Sort of. This fascinating review shows how complicated this can be: https://dupuytrens.org/DupPDFs/2008_Zyluk.pdf

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Verapamil, tamoxifen, carnitine – options?

One resource for potential medical treatment of Dupuytren’s is the literature on medicines which work for related conditions such as Peyronie’s. This review examines the rationale and results of propionyl-L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, verapamil and tamoxifen in treating Peyronie’s disease. Is there a role for these in Dupuytren’s? https://dupuytrens.org/DupPDFs/2002_Cavallini.pdf

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Dupuytren’s and Frozen shoulder

About one in six patients with frozen shoulder will also have Dupuytren’s disease and vice versa. Frozen shoulder has been called “Dupuytren’s of the shoulder”: the abnormal tissues are quite similar. However, they are different in other respects – for example, Dupuytren’s commonly recurs after surgical treatment, but frozen shoulder

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Vascular cause of Dupuytren’s?

Diabetes, hypertension, stiff finger joints and Dupuytren’s: This study uses retinopathy as an index of vascular disease and suggests that small vessel disease, rather than the effect of blood sugar on collagen, is the link between diabetes and Dupuytren’s: https://dupuytrens.org/DupPDFs/1986_Larkin_1218.pdf

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Peyronie’s Disease and Dupuytren’s

Dupuytren’s is one manifestation of a systemic fibrotic disorder that can also show up as Ledderhose, frozen shoulder or Peyronie’s disease. Fortunately, the majority of people affected show only one of these conditions, but many have to deal with several or all of these. This summary reviews the condition referred

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