[Dupuytren's contracture].

Dupuytren's contracture forms nodules and fibril bundles causing the fingers to contract. The pathological tissue contains myofibroblasts exhibiting properties of fibrocytes and smooth muscle cell myoblasts. The disease has a clear-cut family predisposition, but its etiology remains unclear. Diabetes, smoking, heavy drinking and mechanical irritation of the palm are regarded as predisposing factors. Dupuytren's contracture is treated surgically in cases with the limitation of extension in the metacarpophalangeal joints over 30 degrees and 20 degrees in the proximal interphalangeal joints.