The Claw Hand Diease

Tradition has it that Dupuytren’s Contracture originated with the Vikings, who spread it throughout Northern Europe and beyond as they traveled and intermarried. At this time, scientists are not sure why the Viking origin predisposes people to suffer more from Dupuytren’s compared to non-Vikings. {First citation} It is estimated that, in70% of cases, people have a predisposition to Dupuytren’s. There is no known screening procedure such as DNA, laboratory tests or other diagnostic tests. It is hoped one day with the assistance, of DNA scientists will come up with a screening test for the living patient and the unborn child.

Baron Guillaume Dupuytren (October 5th, 1777 – February 8th 1835) was a French anatomist and military surgeon.He is best known today for Dupuytren's contracture, which is named after him and which he described in 1831, However, he was not the first to describe it. {Second citation}

Dupuytren’s affects both ordinary and well known people. Some famous people who suffer from Dupuytren’s include:

• Bill Nighy, who is well known for his appearances with Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean.

• Samuel Beckett, the acclaimed Irish playwright, who acted in Waitipng for Godote.

• President Reagan, who was one of the most prominent individuals to contract the disease.

• Margaret Thatcher, Former British Prime Minister, Who at the age of 60 she had surgery on her right hand to release her contracture.

• David McCallum, who acted on the TV spy series The Man from U.N.C.L.E. And more recently as Dr. Donald "Duckie" Mallard on NCIS.

• Misha Dichter World famous classical pianist who first noticed symptoms of Dupuytren’s when he could no longer stretch his hand to reach all the keys.

Twenty seven million peo...

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...nt due to the overstretching of the muscles and tendons when the contractures bent the rest of the fingers splints are placed on the fingers for a minimum of six weeks to regain straightness in the fingertips. An occupational therapist is very helpful during recovery after surgery. Most people will have improved motion in their fingers after surgery with a well planned recovery process The rate of recurrence is roughly 50% of surgical patients. The possibility of recurrence can be very frightening to Dupuytren’s patients because of the fact that additional surgeries may be needed. The unpredictability of the disease makes it difficult to plan one’s life knowing the disease might recur be more severe than in the previous episode. Additional Surgeries carry the risk of infection, loss of already limited function, and the additional risk of nerve and tendon damage.