What is Dupuytren’s contracture and a common surgical intervention?

Study for the NBCOT Hand Injuries and Intervention Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations. Get ready for success!

Dupuytren’s contracture is a fibromatosis of the palmar fascia in which nodules and thick cords form, pulling digits into flexion and causing progressive finger contractures, most often in the ring and small fingers. A common surgical way to treat it is fasciectomy, removing the diseased fascia and cords to release the contracture. Another widely used option is collagenase injection, which enzymatically dissolves the cords to allow the fingers to straighten. These treatments target the fascia itself to restore extension and hand function.

Other conditions don’t fit because neural compression of the thumb nerve would present with sensory or motor symptoms along the nerve distribution, not a fixed finger contracture. Tendon rupture would cause a sudden loss of tendon function and a gap in the tendon. Osteoarthritis of the MCP joints would present with joint pain and degenerative changes rather than cords pulling the finger into flexion.