Proximal interphalangeal joint contractures from Dupuytren’s disease take on a life of their own, persisting after the Dupuytren’s has been removed. One of the arguments for open fasciectomy is that PIP contractures can be treated by openly releasing the tight joint capsule and ligaments. Unfortunately, gains made in the operating room are lost during the recovery period, and after the dust settles, open joint releases for PIP contractures associated with Dupuytren’s are ineffective in the long run, as reviewed in these three reports from three different institutions:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8596787
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15142694
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14734062
