Real Stories: Living with Dupuytren’s Contracture
Health & Patients Purpose & Community
When hand health begins to decline, everyday tasks like buttoning a shirt or shaking hands may become difficult. For people living with Dupuytren’s contracture, these challenges often become part of daily life.1,2
Dupuytren’s contracture is a lifelong condition that may get worse over time. It’s caused by a buildup of collagen in the hand, which forms a rope-like cord that pulls fingers toward the palm so they can’t be straightened.2 It affects an estimated 13 million Americans.3,4*
Two individuals shared their experiences with seeking treatment from a hand specialist and how they felt about the process.
“It affected my daily life.”
Elle remembers the moment she decided to speak with a hand specialist about nonsurgical treatment. She could both see and feel her symptoms. What started as a mild inconvenience quickly grew into something she knew she needed to address.
“What I wanted to get back to was my career and my work.”
Clint remembers weighing his treatment options carefully. Surgery didn’t feel right, so when he learned about outpatient nonsurgical treatments, the choice became clear. It was a path that aligned with his priorities to get back to his daily life, and he didn’t hesitate to move forward.
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
Elle found that the nonsurgical treatment option she chose offered a convenient outpatient experience. It felt very different from past procedures that required her to wake up at 5 a.m. The process left a strong impression, and she feels confident that she would choose nonsurgical treatment again without hesitation.
“I could tell right away that there was a big improvement.”
Clint recalls spending time with the care team and feeling hopeful after starting treatment as he noticed signs of progress early on. The nonsurgical approach felt manageable, and the recovery process fit comfortably into his routine.
If you experience symptoms of Dupuytren’s contracture, consider speaking with a hand specialist to explore treatment options. For more information and helpful resources, visit handhealthtreatment.com.
Watch more patients share their stories about living with Dupuytren’s contracture.
* Dupuytren’s contracture prevalence estimation calculation in the U.S.: Average Dupuytren’s contracture prevalence in the U.S. (5%) multiplied by U.S. adult population (~258 million adults per 2020 U.S. Census data) = ~13 million.
References
- Hurst LC, Badalamente MA, Hentz VR, et al. Injectable collagenase clostridium histolyticum for Dupuytren’s contracture. N Engl J Med. 2009;361(10),968-979.
- Bayat A, McGrouther DA. Management of Dupuytren’s disease--clear advice for an elusive condition. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2006;88(1):3-8.
- MedlinePlus Genetics. Dupuytren contracture. National Library of Medicine. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/dupuytren-contracture/#frequency
- Ogunwole SU, Rabe MA, Roberts AW, Caplan Z. Adult population grew faster than total population from 2010 to 2020. U.S. Census Bureau. Published August 12, 2021. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/08/united-states-adult-population-grew-faster-than-nations-total-population-from-2010-to-2020.html
