Which digits are most commonly affected by Dupuytren’s contracture?

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 that forms cords pulling the fingers into a flexed posture. The fibrotic cords most often involve the ulnar side of the hand, so the ring and little fingers are the digits most frequently affected. As cords tighten, flexion contractures develop at the metacarpophalangeal joints and can extend to the proximal interphalangeal joints, leading to impaired extension and grip. Because these fibrotic changes preferentially involve the ring and little fingers, that pair is much more common than the thumb, index, or middle fingers, and the condition is not typically evenly distributed across all digits. In short, the ring and little fingers are most commonly affected, which is why that option is best.