May 27, 2008

Dupuytren’s Contracture: Risk Factors & Early Detection for Prevention

Posted in Category : Bone, Joint & Muscles Disorders

The people who develop Dupuytren’s contracture are not able to extend their fingers properly. The fingers remain bent towards their palm. Because of this, they generally face a number of problems involving the use of hands and fingers. It can occur either due to genetic reasons or due to some external factors.

There is nothing, which can be done to prevent the genetic factors. However, the external factors, which may result in its occurrence, can be prevented. Below given are some of the measures that anybody can take in order to avoid Dupuytren’s contracture.

Before getting to the prevention, measures it will be useful to consider, the people, who are at greater risk for developing Dupuytren’s contracture. Therefore, these people can be more careful.

It occurs more frequently in people of Scandinavian region or the surrounding parts of Europe. In addition, there are comparatively higher chances of its occurrence in the old people who are above the age of 40. Men are more prone to Dupuytren’s contracture than women are. In addition, as said earlier, it is a genetic disease. Therefore, the people whose family history consists of cases of Dupuytren’s contracture, also, are at a greater risk of Dupuytren’s contracture.

The people who develop diabetes, thyroid diseases epilepsy liver diseases, and pulmonary diseases are also found to have developed Dupuytren’s contracture. In addition to this to these diseases, the people who also have one or more of the above risk factors are much prone to Dupuytren’s contracture. Many such cases have occurred until now.

Prevention- Smoking and drinking has been associated with Dupuytren’s contracture. As both of these things are also associated with a number of other problems, it is always better to avoid them.
In addition to this, the people who have an injury on the palm too are at a risk of developing Dupuytren’s contracture. So such injuries should be avoided. If any injury does occur, it should be examined by a doctor. In such cases, only the superficial relief from pain and healing of skin is not enough.

As mentioned earlier nothing can be done to control the genetic factors, to prevent Dupuytren’s contracture. In addition, most of the other factors are not practically controllable. The only thing that a person can do is, if he is prone to Dupuytren’s contracture, he should be careful. It is very important to detect it in the very early stages, so that it can be cured easily.