Dupuytren's disease secondary to acute injury, infection or operation distal to the elbow in the ipsilateral upper limb--a historical review.

The aggregated total of 385 cases of Dupuytren's disease arising after acute or specific injury, operation or infection of the forearm, wrist or hand between 1614 and 2003 are documented, including a personal series of 52 cases. The history of this relationship is recorded and the medico legal implications of the association are discussed.