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Understanding Dupuytren’s Contracture Vs. Trigger Finger
It’s understandable why people might confuse these two conditions since they have some similarities. Both can affect any finger and make it look curved inward towards the palm or sometimes bent to the side. Following is a breakdown of Dupuytren’s contracture vs trigger finger.
Trigger Finger
The medical term for trigger finger is stenosing tenosynovitis. A trigger finger happens when an injury makes a finger get stuck in a bent position. This is because inflammation causes the sheath around the tendons to become narrow, forming a bump. When you bend the finger, this bump has to slide through the narrow sheath, causing a snapping feeling.
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Dupuytren’s contracture develops slowly over time. It starts when tissue forms lumps under the skin of the palm. These lumps create a cord that pulls the fingers into a bent position. This can make everyday tasks, like holding silverware, difficult.
Can Dupuytren’s Cause Trigger Finger?
Although Dupuytren’s disease and trigger finger have some common risk factors, there is no clear link between the two conditions.
Dupuytren’s Contracture Vs Trigger Finger
On the palm side of each finger, there’s a tendon that helps the finger bend toward the palm. Each tendon is covered by a sheath lined with synovium. The synovium makes a fluid that lets the tendon move smoothly when you bend and straighten your finger. Following are the main differences between two hand conditions called Dupuytren’s contracture and trigger finger:
- The trigger finger starts in the fingers, while Dupuytren’s contracture starts in the palm.
- Dupuytren’s contracture affects the tissue, but the trigger finger affects the tendons.
- Trigger finger usually happens in the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. Dupuytren’s contracture often affects the ring finger and pinky.
- A person with a trigger finger can straighten their finger if they try, but someone with Dupuytren’s contracture cannot.
- Trigger finger is usually caused by an injury, but the causes of Dupuytren’s contracture are not known.
Dupuytren’s Contracture After Trigger Finger Surgery
Patients who have surgery for the trigger finger are more likely to develop Dupuytren’s contracture quickly compared to those treated with steroid injections. The study found that patients who had only trigger finger surgery had a 1 in 156 chance of developing Dupuytren’s disease, compared to a 1 in 128 chance overall.
Hand surgery can sometimes cause Dupuytren’s disease. Some case reports mention patients developing Dupuytren’s contracture within 3 weeks to 3 months after other hand surgeries, likely due to swelling and limited movement after surgery.
In short, evidence suggests that surgical treatment for the trigger finger increases the risk of developing Dupuytren’s contracture soon after surgery, compared to other treatments like steroid injections. This might happen because the surgery and lack of hand movement trigger Dupuytren’s disease in some people.
Final Word
While the two hand conditions mentioned earlier share many similarities, the basis for Dupuytren’s contracture vs trigger finger is completely different. It’s a good idea to consult an orthopedic doctor or a hand surgeon to identify your condition.
Visit Dr. Luo at Randy Y. Luo, MD, MBA. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializes in hand and upper extremity issues. Dial any of the following numbers to secure an appointment.