Dupuytren’s disease is a disorder of the hand, where the palmar fascia under the skin forms bumps or bands that can cause contractures in the fingers. The palmar fascia is a layer of tissue in the palm of the hand that holds the skin in place. As the condition progresses, the band may begin to pull the finger toward the palm, creating a contracture – a finger that is permanently bent and cannot be straightened back out. This most commonly affects the ring and small fingers, but can happen to any finger, including the thumb. The cause of Dupuytren’s is unknown, but there is likely a genetic component.
