Dupuytren’s Contracture Surgery Essex

What Is Dupuytren’s Contracture Essex

Dupuytren’s contracture is a deformity in the hand that develops over time and affects the layer of tissue that lies under the skin of the palm of your hand, called the fascia. Here, knots of tissue form, which eventually build up to create a thick cord, which can pull one or more fingers into a bent position. Due to the affected fingers being unable to be straightened completely, everyday activities are made harder and sometimes impossible to do.

As previously mentioned, Dupuytren’s contracture develops over years. The symptoms usually begin with the thickening of the skin on the palm of your hand, which progresses to appear puckered or dimpled. From here, a firm lump can form, which may be sensitive to touch, but not painful.

As the later stages of Dupuytren’s contracture develop, the cords of tissue form under the skin and extend towards the fingers. The little and ring fingers are most commonly affected. These cords can tighten, causing the fingers to get pulled towards your palm. Dupuytren’s contracture can occur in both hands and may also affect the feet. Sufferers of Dupuytren’s contracture can undergo Dupuytren’s contracture surgery Essex to make it easier for you to perform basic daily tasks.

What Happens During Dupuytren’s Contracture Surgery Essex?

If you suffer from Dupuytren’s contracture, then you can book an appointment with our surgeon, Mr Sierakowski, who will discuss Dupuytren’s contracture surgery Essex with you and see if it’s the best route for you to take. You will be supported from your initial consultation with Mr Sierakowski right through to your recovery after your procedure.

Dupuytren’s contracture surgery Essex involves removing the cords that are pulling the fingers towards the palm. This can be conducted in a number of ways, depending on the severity of the disease and on any other health problems. During your consultation, Mr Sierakowski will discuss the procedure he thinks is right for you and carefully explain the surgery and the rehabilitation involved. This allows you to make a fully informed decision and ensure you are completely happy before going ahead.

In early Dupuytren’s contracture, the thickened tissue can be removed by skin incisions in the palm or the fingers. This is called fasciectomy surgery Essex. Those with advanced Dupuytren’s contracture can undergo dermofasciectomy surgery Essex to remove both the thickened tissue and the overlying skin. The resulting wound is then covered with a skin graft.

Dupuytren’s contracture surgery Essex can be performed under local anesthetic, with an injection directly into the palm. This may be suitable for very early disease. More commonly, the surgery is performed under regional anaesthetic, called a brachial block, where your whole arm is numbed by an anaesthetist placing a local anaesthetic injection in your armpit. This allows the whole operation to be performed pain free, without you having to have a general anaesthetic. It also provides long lasting pain relief for several hours after the surgery has finished. The surgery is performed with a tourniquet on your upper arm, which temporarily stops blood from flowing to your hand. This allows Mr Sierakowski to see all the important structures in your hand and carefully dissect out the diseased tissue.

What is the Recovery After Dupuytren’s Contracture Surgery Essex?

At the end of your operation, your hand will be bandaged. If Dupuytren’s contracture surgery Essex has involved significant straightening of your fingers, your hand will be placed in a plaster splint. This is to keep the fingers out straight. You will be given a sling to wear. This is to support your arm until you recover movement and feeling, which can take several hours if you have had a regional anaesthetic. The sling also keeps your hand elevated, which is very important to reduce bleeding and swelling. You will go home the same day as Dupuytren’s contracture surgery Essex surgery and an appointment will be made for a dressings change with a nurse and a physiotherapy appointment. The hand therapist will give you exercises to do to help you recover your movement. If needed, a custom-molded plastic splint will be made, to keep your fingers straight overnight. This splint is normally worn at night for 3 or 4 months after surgery. Scars in the palm of the hand and the fingers will often start off a little lumpy, but settle down and soften after a few weeks of moisturising and massage.

Are There Any Potential Risks From Dupuytren’s Contracture Surgery Essex?

As with any plastic surgery Essex, Dupuytren’s contracture surgery Essex does have risks. These include:

Scarring
Wound Infection
Stiffness
Loss of Sensation
Pain
Injury to Nerves
Injury to Blood Vessels
Recurrence of the disease
In very rare circumstances, the affected finger can lose its blood supply and need to be amputated.

Mr Sierakowski will discuss any risks with you in your consultations before the Dupuytren’s contracture surgery Essex.

Dupuytren’s Contracture Essex

Dupuytren’s contracture surgery Essex performed by Mr Sierakowski is available across Essex, including Phoenix Hospital in Chelmsford, Wellesley Hospital in Southend and Springfield Hospital in Chelmsford. Contact us to find out more about our procedures.

What Is Dermofasciectomy Essex?

If the skin overlying the cords is very stuck down, both the skin and the affected fascia need to be removed. This is called dermofasciectomy. The skin is replaced with a small skin graft, usually taken from the forearm. This results in an additional scar in the forearm. Dermofasciectomy Essex is usually only required for the most severe cases of Dupuytren’s disease, or when the disease has come back after someone has had surgery before.

What Is Fasciectomy Essex?

Fasciectomy Essex involves cutting out the nodules or cords from the palm and/or fingers. The size of incision required depends on the severity of the disease, ranging from a small “C” shape in the palm, to longer incisions along the whole length of the finger. A zig-zag scar is made over the finger joints, to prevent the scars themselves from causing a contracture. This is called a Z-plasty. Fasciectomy Essex can be conducted under local anesthetic, or regional anaesthetic, where the whole arm is numbed by the anaesthetist numbing the nerves in your armpit.