Shockwave Therapy for Dupuytren’s disease

Shockwave Therapy for Dupuytren’s disease which is a condition in which one or more fingers become permanently bent in a flexed position. It usually begins as small hard nodules just under the skin of the palm. This affliction is sometimes referred to as Viking disease due to its high incidence among people of Scandinavian and North European descent.

Given the fact that the recurrence rate in Dupuytren’s disease is high and unpredictable extracorporeal shockwave therapy as a non-invasive tool might be applicable both, in the primary and secondary prevention of the progression as well as for treatment.

The cause is unknown and sufferers usually start showing symptoms at age 40 with men acquiring the disease more often than women; it often runs in families. There is a slow progression with the affliction that almost always affects the ring finger as well as the little and middle fingers.

Firm nodules appear in the ligaments just beneath the skin of the palm of the hand, and in some cases, they extend to form cords that can prevent the finger from straightening completely. The nodules and cords may be associated with small pits in the skin. Without treatment, one or more fingers may become fixed in a bent position. The web between the thumb and index finger is sometimes narrowed. Contracture of fingers is usually slow, occurring over months and years rather than weeks.

Dupuytren’s disease may be associated with diabetes, smoking and high alcohol consumption, but many affected people have none of these. It does not appear to be associated with manual work. It occasionally appears after injury to the hand or wrist, or after surgery to these areas. Shockwave therapy can help to alleviate the symptoms and act as an alternative to surgery.

Shockwave therapy treatment length can vary depending on the severity of the condition and after a consultation with Ben, a plan of treatment can be put together – book your consultation today.