Dupuytren's Contracture: The Claw Hand Disease

A person looks at his hand; the palm facing up and forms his hand into a claw. He pays particular attention to his fingers and the feel of the tendons, ligaments, and muscles as he forms a claw. He imagines that this is happening to him over time. He has no control over it and cannot stop it. Unlike people with Dupuytren’s disease, he can straighten out his hands. I struggle with Dupuytren’s condition in both of my hands.

In order to empathize with the struggles of a Dupuytren’s patient, people need to be informed about the disease. It is important to understand the diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, and history of the condition that leaves people with malformed hands.

“Dupuytren’s contracture originated with the Vikings, who spread it throughout Northern Europe and beyond” as they plundered, raped, settled, and intermarried (Flatt). Dr. Charles Eaton, a member of the board of trustees of the Dupuytren’s Foundation, indicates that although “it’s been described as a Viking or Scotch-Irish disease,” Dupuytren’s condition is found in people of European descent wherever they originated on the continent (Eaton). Millions of people suffer from the disease today. However, the condition was reported by Guillaume Dupuytren in 1831. “Getting to Grips with Celtic Hand”).

Baron Guillaume Dupuytren, French anatomist and military surgeon is best known today for his treatment Dupuytren’s disease. He performed the first corrective surgery in 1831 (“Sticky Finger”).

Treatments such as surgery benefit 27 million patients in the United States and Europe. Famous people who have suffered from Dupuytren’s condition include playwright Samuel Beckett, actor David McCallum, President Ronald Reagan, an...

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...Aponeurotomy (Needle Fasciotomy).” Dupuytren contracture Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.

Eaton, Charles M. Personal interview. 10 Feb. 2014.

Flatt, Adrian E. “The Vikings and Baron Dupuytren’s Disease.” US National Library of Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

“Getting to Grips with Celtic Hand.” philipgrieve.com N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2014.

“Managing Dupuytren’s contracture .” Everyday Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2014

Figure 1. Stages Of Dupuytrens Contracture. "Dupuytren’s Contracture: Playing The Hand You’re Dealt." Yogo Tune Up Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.

“Sticky Finger.” The Register Guard. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

Trojian, Thomas H., and Stephianie M. Chu. "Dupuytrens Diease: Diagnosis and

treatment." American Family Physician. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2014.