Dupuytren’s contracture can result in the finger(s) curling into the palm resulting in difficulty using the affected hand for day-to-day activities (please see the blog on Dupuytren’s treatment for further information). In case of a Dupuytren’s contracture involving the knuckle alone, one can treat the contracture with a technique called needle aponeurotomy. This is performed under local anaesthesia as a day case procedure, with patient being discharged the same day following this procedure.
I would like to share a case of Dupuytren’s contracture of the little finger in a 58-year old lady treated by a minimally invasive technique called needle aponeurotomy. Patient was assessed for the severity of the contracture using a special device called goniometer and the deformity measured 70 degrees.
Risks and benefits of the procedure were explained. Surgery was performed under local anaesthetic using only a small needle and a syringe. At the end of the procedure, the finger was fully straight and the small wound in the palm did not need any suturing. The wound was dressed with a waterproof dressing. At 2 weeks following the procedure, the wound fully healed and patient regained full use of her hand.