Dupuytren's Disease: When To Call A Doctor

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When To Call a Doctor

Call a health professional if you notice:

• Dimples or knots in your palms, especially near the base of your fingers.
• An inability to flatten your hand, palm down, on an even surface.
• Pain in your palm or fingers.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your health professional observe your symptoms or condition without using medical treatment. This period may vary from a few days to weeks, months, or years. Dupuytren's disease usually is a slowly progressing disease. If you are still able to move your fingers enough to do daily activities, you and your health professional may choose to continue regular checkups and hand exercises rather than surgery.

Who To See

The following health professionals can diagnose Dupuytren's disease:

• Family medicine physician
• Internist
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant
• Rheumatologist
• Orthopedic surgeon

A hand surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, or plastic surgeon can also diagnose and treat Dupuytren's disease. These doctors are most often seen for severe disease, when you cannot use your hand for everyday activities.

A physical therapist or an occupational therapist, or both, may be part of your treatment team and can teach you how to exercise your hand to help keep your hand and fingers flexibile.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

Last updated:	March 31, 2008
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, David Pichora, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC