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There is a lump
Lumps under skin
Cysts under skin
There is a nodule in the groin
Scalp with lumps
There is a nodule on the head
Lump on cheek
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Dupuytren's contracture is a hand deformity that develops over years which presents as a gradual thickening and tightening of tissue under the skin in the hand.The condition most often affects the 4th (ring) and 5th (little) fingers.Over time, Dupuytren's contracture can cause one or more fingers to stay bent toward the palm. This can complicate everyday activities. The exact cause is unknown. Risk factors include being over 50 years old, male, having a genetic predisposition, smoking, alcohol abuse, and diabetes.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
Treatment, if needed, includes using a needle to break the tissue that's keeping the finger bent, enzyme injections to soften the tissue, and surgery.
Reviewed By:
Sarita Nori, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Sarita Nori was drawn to dermatology because of the intersection of science and medicine that is at the heart of dermatology. She feels this is what really allows her to help her patients. “There is a lot of problem-solving in dermatology and I like that,” she explains. “It’s also a profession where you can help people quickly and really make a difference in their lives.” | Some of the typical skin problems that Dr. Nori treats include skin cancers, psoriasis, acne, eczema, rashes, and contact dermatitis. Dr Nori believes in using all possible avenues of treatment, such as biologics, especially in patients with chronic diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. “These medications can work superbly, and they are really life-changing for many patients.” | Dr. Nori feels it’s important for patients to have a good understanding of the disease or condition that is affecting them. “I like to educate my patients on their problem and have them really understand it so they can take the best course of action. Patients always do better when they understand their skin condition, and how to treat it.”
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on Dec 5, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Q.
Fingers Stuck? Why Dupuytren’s Contracture Curls Your Hand & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Dupuytren’s contracture makes fingers slowly curl toward the palm as thickened cords in the palmar fascia, not the tendons, tighten over time, often affecting the ring and little fingers, limiting function, and not caused by overuse. There are several factors and next steps to consider, including who is at risk, simple self checks like the tabletop test, when to see a doctor or seek urgent care, and treatment choices such as watchful waiting, collagenase injections, needle release, or surgery, with recurrence and rehab details covered below.
References:
* Arora H, Agarwal S, Bhatia J, Kumar S, Kumar A, Prakash D. Dupuytren's Contracture: An Updated Review. Cureus. 2023 Apr 1;15(4):e36993. doi: 10.7759/cureus.36993. PMID: 37131758; PMCID: PMC10150935.
* van der Veer G, Beekman-Visser S, Boxma J, Selles RW. Current and Emerging Treatment Options for Dupuytren's Disease. J Hand Surg Am. 2023 Aug;48(8):792-802. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2023.01.016. Epub 2023 Mar 20. PMID: 36948834.
* Townley C, Townley A, Townley J. Dupuytren Disease: A Review of Etiology, Pathophysiology, and Current Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment Options. Cureus. 2022 Dec 14;14(12):e32525. doi: 10.7759/cureus.32525. PMID: 36643265; PMCID: PMC9840330.
* Cates AN, Bell J, Rayan GM. The Pathophysiology of Dupuytren's Disease: A Review. J Hand Surg Am. 2020 Jan;45(1):70-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2019.09.006. Epub 2019 Oct 18. PMID: 31636066.
* Lanting R, van den Hoogen FH, van den Ende CH, van der Molen AM, de Jong BA, Werker PM. Dupuytren's disease: genetics, aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2014 Mar;39(3):267-76. doi: 10.1177/1753193413511874. Epub 2013 Nov 20. PMID: 24259461.
Q.
Fingers Curling? Why Your Hand Is Locking and Medically Approved Next Steps for Dupuytren’s
A.
Finger curling with a firm palm lump or cord is often Dupuytren’s contracture, usually painless and not dangerous, but it can still limit function if untreated; medically approved options range from observation in mild cases to collagenase injections, needle aponeurotomy, or surgical fasciectomy when function declines. There are several factors to consider, including the tabletop test, progression, personal risk factors, and urgent red flags. See the complete answer below for specifics on diagnosis, when to seek care, pros and cons of each treatment, expected recovery, recurrence, and ways to slow progression.
References:
* Nanchahal J, Ball C, Bedford M, Dowen D, Dyson S, Essex E, Fogerty ME, Hindocha S, Ledingham S, Motson R, Nancarrow P, Nanchahal J, O'Neill L, Smith R, Verjee L. Dupuytren's Contracture: A Comprehensive Review. J Hand Surg Am. 2021 Jul;46(7):602-613. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2020.10.015. Epub 2020 Dec 2. PMID: 33279313.
* Nanchahal J, Ball C, Bedford M, Dowen D, Dyson S, Essex E, Fogerty ME, Hindocha S, Ledingham S, Motson R, Nancarrow P, O'Neill L, Smith R, Verjee L. Pathogenesis of Dupuytren's disease. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2021 Mar;46(3):235-242. doi: 10.1177/1753193420954086. Epub 2020 Sep 11. PMID: 32914619.
* Patel KM, Nanchahal J, Verjee LS. Treatment Options for Dupuytren's Contracture. J Hand Surg Am. 2021 Jul;46(7):614-624. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2020.10.012. Epub 2020 Dec 2. PMID: 33279314.
* Chen T, Sun X, Zhang P, Pan Y. Surgical versus nonsurgical treatment for Dupuytren's contracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Hand Surg Am. 2023 Mar;48(3):278.e1-278.e14. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2022.08.016. Epub 2022 Oct 28. PMID: 36307297.
* Ebrahim S, Hindocha S, Tarbox R, Hettiaratchy S, Nanchahal J. Dupuytren's disease: Current advances in genetics, epigenetics and pharmacotherapies. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2020 Feb;45(2):119-126. doi: 10.1177/1753193419884501. Epub 2019 Oct 29. PMID: 31661664.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1Walthall J, Anand P, Rehman UH. Dupuytren Contracture. [Updated 2023 Feb 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526074/
Ruettermann M, Hermann RM, Khatib-Chahidi K, Werker PMN. Dupuytren's Disease-Etiology and Treatment. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2021 Nov 19;118(46):781-788. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0325. PMID: 34702442; PMCID: PMC8864671.