What Is Dupuytren's Contracture?

"Why won't this finger straighten anymore?" That's usually how it starts — not with pain, but with a finger, often the ring or little finger, that gradually stops lying flat. You notice it washing your face, putting on gloves, or trying to rest your palm flat on a table. The video at the top of this page shows one of the treatments: "Needle Aponeurotomy Dupuytren's Contracture", a 2-minute recording of a minimally invasive, in-office procedure performed under local anaesthesia by plastic surgeon Reza Momeni, MD. But what is the condition itself? The questions below walk through it in the order most people ask them.

What's actually happening under the skin of the palm?

Under the skin of your palm lies a sheet of tissue called the palmar fascia, which normally sits flat. In Dupuytren's contracture, that tissue slowly thickens. People often first notice a small, firm lump in the palm. Over time — usually years, not weeks — the thickened tissue can form a cord running toward a finger, and that cord gradually pulls the finger down into a bent position it can't fully leave. It isn't the tendon itself that's damaged, and it isn't caused by using your hands too much. Why some people develop it isn't fully understood; it does tend to run in families and is more common as people get older.

How is that different from trigger finger?

It's an easy mix-up, because both leave a finger bent. In trigger finger, a tendon catches as it glides, so the finger locks or snaps — the problem described in our guide to trigger finger. In Dupuytren's, there's no catching or snapping: the pull comes from the thickened cord in the palm, and the finger simply can't be straightened fully, even gently by someone else. If you'd like to see the contrast for yourself, the short video "Trigger Finger" shows how that condition behaves. The distinction matters because the treatments are different.

How does a clinician check it?

Usually with the hand itself, not a scan. A clinician will look and feel for lumps and cords in the palm, then ask you to try to lay your hand completely flat on the table — a simple check often called the tabletop test. If the palm and fingers won't rest flat, that tells the clinician how far the contracture has progressed. They'll also measure how much each finger joint can move. Blood tests and imaging aren't usually what make this diagnosis; the pattern in the palm is fairly characteristic, though any lump you're unsure about is still worth having examined in person.

What are the treatment options, honestly?

Not every Dupuytren's hand needs a procedure. If the finger still straightens well and everyday tasks aren't affected, a clinician may simply keep an eye on it, because the change is typically slow. Treatment enters the picture when the bend starts getting in the way — flattening the hand, gripping, shaking hands, or daily activities. The options aim to release or divide the cord that's doing the pulling. The needle aponeurotomy in the anchor video is one approach: working through the skin with a needle under local anaesthesia, in the office, to divide the cord so the finger can straighten — the video's own description notes it usually takes about 15 minutes. Other approaches, including open surgery to remove the thickened tissue, exist and suit different hands and different stages. One honest caveat whichever route is chosen: the thickening can come back over time, so a specialist will usually talk about recurrence as part of the decision, not as an afterthought.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dupuytren's contracture hurt?

Often it doesn't, especially early on. The lump in the palm can be tender when it first appears, but the main problem is usually the gradual loss of straightening rather than pain.

Can it affect both hands?

Yes, it can develop in both hands, though not necessarily at the same speed. It most often involves the ring and little fingers, but other fingers can be affected too.

Will exercises or stretching fix it?

Gentle movement keeps a hand mobile, but stretching can't undo a thickened cord that is mechanically pulling a finger down. If a finger no longer lies flat, that is worth a clinician's assessment rather than more forceful stretching.

When should I get a bent finger checked?

Book a check if you notice a new lump or cord in your palm, if a finger no longer rests flat on a table, or if the bend is starting to interfere with gripping, gloves, or everyday tasks. Earlier assessment keeps more options open.

MedicalVideos.com has published trusted medical videos since 2007. The site was founded by Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, MD, PhD — physician-scientist.

Educational only — this article is general information about Dupuytren's contracture, not medical advice and not a diagnosis. Any new lump in the palm or finger that no longer straightens should be assessed by a clinician who can examine your hand.