Treatments

Dupuytren’s Contracture Treatments

You and your care team can create a care plan for you based on:

  • Your age, overall health and health history
  • The severity of your issue
  • How you respond to medication and other treatments
  • Your goals for hand mobility and use

There is no known cure for Dupuytren’s contracture. The condition is not dangerous or life-threatening. However, treatment can relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Surgery is the most common treatment. Other options include steroid or enzyme injections, radiation therapy, lifestyle changes and self-care practices.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a noninvasive treatment for early stage Dupuytren contracture. It uses low-dose X-rays to slow or stop the disease from getting worse. It is commonly used in Europe, and research studies have shown that it can help certain patients.

People who have radiation therapy for Dupuytren’s contracture often have:

  • Less pain
  • Softened lumps
  • Fewer long-term mobility issues

Radiation therapy does not cure the issue. It delays or reduces the need for surgery or other treatments.

How Radiation Therapy Works

Radiation targets the fibroblasts in your palm. These are special cells that produce extra collagen, which can cause lump or cords to form.

Radiation can damage or deactivate these cells early in the disease process. This can help:

  • Reduce lump size and tenderness
  • Slow the worsening of your condition
  • Improve hand mobility

Radiation therapy is most effective when:

  • The condition is in an early and active phase
  • Your lumps are painful or growing
  • You want to avoid or delay surgery
  • Other treatments have not worked or you do not want them

Your care team will likely not recommend radiation therapy once your finger has started bending significantly.

The Radiation Therapy Process

Radiation therapy is an outpatient procedure, meaning you go home the same day after a session.

  • Therapy treatment usually includes 5 to 10 sessions, with a break about halfway through the total number of sessions
  • During each treatment session, the affected area gets a low dose of radiation.
  • Radiation therapy is painless, and patients do not need anesthesia.

Radiation Therapy Side Effects

  • Short-term side effects are uncommon and may include mild skin redness or dryness.
  • Long-term risks and side effects are extremely unlikely due to the low radiation doses used.