Dupuytren’s contracture Health Dictionary

The Thatcher Finger. Fibrosis of the palm of the hand leading to deformity. Inability to straighten the ring and little finger due to fixed flexion. A tightened sinew. High serum fat levels are present, the disease affecting men from the age of 20 and women after the menopause.

“It is believed that oxidation of the lipids by free radicals (which are also present in high numbers in patients who have Dupuytren’s contracture) produces toxins which kill fibroblast cells in the palmar fascia. The surrounding tissue overreacts by producing many more fibroblasts, a bit like callous formation after a wound. The rapid increase in fibrous tissue leads to the contracture. This explains why the contracture is so common among patients with diabetes, epilepsy and alcoholism – serum lipid levels are raised in all these groups . . . However, the disorder occurs only if the patient has a genetic predisposition to the disease.” (Mr Paul Sanderson, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Wrightington Hospital, Wigan, in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Nov. 1992)

Treatment. Directed towards prevention. Same as for HYPERLIPIDAEMIA.

DWARF BEAN. See: FRENCH BEAN.

DWARF ELDER. Danewort. Ground Elder. Sambucus ebulus L. French: Petit sureau. German:

Attichwurzel. Spanish: Sauro enano. Italian: Ebbio. Part used: leaves. Action: expectorant, diaphoretic, diuretic, purgative.

Uses: Dropsy, kidney and bladder torpor, rheumatism.

Combine, equal parts Dwarf Elder, Greater Plantain and Parsley Piert for gravel.

Combine, equal parts Dwarf Elder, Wild Carrot, Broom and Motherwort for oedema of heart origin. Combine, equal parts Dwarf Elder and Celery seeds for polymyalgia and rheumatism. (W.T. Hewitt, FNIMH)

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Tea. 2 teaspoons leaves to each cup boiling water; infuse 10 minutes. Half-1 cup.

Tincture. 1 part in 5 parts 45 per cent alcohol. Macerate 8 days. Decant. 5-10ml (1-2 teaspoons). 

A disorder of the hand in which one or more fingers become fixed in a bent position. In about

half the cases, both hands are affected. In most cases there is no apparent cause, but the disease may in part be inherited. Men over 40 are most often affected. The tissues under the skin in the fingers or palm become thickened and shortened, causing difficulty in straightening the fingers. Surgery can correct deformity of the fingers, but in some cases there is a recurrence of the condition.

a flexion deformity of the fingers (usually the ring and little fingers) caused by a nodular *hypertrophy and *contracture of the *fascia in the palm. The characteristic sign is a nodule at the distal palmar crease or over the proximal phalanx of the finger. The condition is treated by surgical excision of the contracted and thickened tissue. Dupuytren’s contracture may be associated with excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus, repetitive hand use, or vibratory trauma. [Baron G. Dupuytren (1777–1835), French surgeon]