A Retrospective Review of the Management of Dupuytren's Nodules

The progression of the nodular form of Dupuytren's disease to cord-like disease is common but not inevitable. This evaluation of Dupuytren's nodules has shown that at an average of 8.7 years after diagnosis 5 patients met standard surgical criteria of metacarpophalangeal contracture of greater than 30° or any proximal interphalangeal contracture. Age of onset (before 50 years) is correlated most closely with disease progression, and the disease regressed in 7 patients (12%).