This condition is also known as Duputyren’s disease palmar fibromatosis. It is a hand deformity which is caused by layers of tissue in the palm of the hand that are hardening and thickening. When someone has Dupuytren’s contracture, then the tissue below the surface of the skin forms knots which creating a thick cord which can cause one or more fingers to bend and lose flexibility or the ability to strengthen.
This condition most commonly happens in older men, especially people who belong to Northern European descent, such as men who are Dutch, French, Scandinavian (Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish), Scottish, Irish and English. Usually, the symptoms of Dupuytren’s contracture come gradually and they get worse as the time passes. It can take several years before symptoms become noticeable enough for affected person to visit a doctor.
The most common signs and symptoms of Dupuytren’s contracture are a puckered or dimpled appearance of the skin covering the palm; formation of tick cords in the palm that restrict or tether the fingers; thickening of the skin on the palm of the hand; not being able to lay the affected hand down completely on a flat surface, etc.
Having certain medical conditions, such as seizure disorders or epilepsy can increase your risk of getting Dupuytren’s contracture. If you have diabetes, then you have higher chances of getting Dupuytren’s contracture. If you suffer from Dupuytren’s contracture, then you should talk with your doctor before you try using some of the below mentioned home remedies as your natural treatment.
Home remedies for Dupuytren’s contracture
Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption: There are many studies in which are said that smoking or using tobacco products can increase your risk of getting Dupuytren’s contracture [1]. This is because these products increase inflammation and lead to microscopic changes within blood vessels and tissue. If you cannot quit smoking on your own, then you can try some mind – body practices, such as biofeedback therapy, hypnosis, guided imagery, tai chi, mindful meditation, yoga and exercise.
Also, you can enroll in a smoking cessation program or talk with your doctor about some options which can help you to curb your cravings. Also, you should stop using alcohol as soon as possible. It is known that alcohol can worsen your symptoms, so you need to stop drinking it. If you cannot quit completely from alcohol, then talk with your doctor which will be the best option for you.
Magnesium: It is known that the magnesium supplement can slowly relieve the pain caused by Dupuytren’s contracture. Also, it will give you a relief from the stiffness and itchiness in your hand. It is recommended taking 250 – 500 mg of magnesium supplement. Also, you can use magnesium oil for your massage. [2]
You can steam this oil in your hand because it can help you to relax the Dupuytren’s contracture. If you are taking too much magnesium and too fast, then it can cause impressive diarrhea. This supplement is not recommended for all people who suffer from Dupuytren’s contracture. This is a reason why you should talk with your doctor if you suffer from Dupuytren’s contracture before you start using it as your home remedy.
Vitamin E: It is recommended taking 200 – 1,000 IU of Vitamin E on daily basis in a period of several months to get a relief from the Dupuytren’s contracture.
Protect your hands: It is very important not to apply extra pressure to your affected hand or fingers so in this way you will keep the Dupuytren’s contracture from progressing. If you occupation is including work or if you are doing work around your home, then you should avoid using a tight grip on tools, such as cushion tape or handles as much as possible. You should try to wear cushion gloves with heavy padding during the heavy grasping tasks.
If you have noticed that your hands feel worse after you have been doing certain types of exercises, such as lifting weights or using exercise bands, then you should stop doing these activities or you can talk with your doctor about the exercises which are safe for you. Also, you can reduce the pressure in your hands by wearing weightlifting gloves that cushion the palms when you are lifting anything heavily, such as bodyweight exercises or doing yoga.
If you have noticed that you have developed some tenderness or discomfort in your hands after you have been using them repeatedly, then you should apply a warm compress to your hands (you can use a heated towel) because it will help you to reduce the swelling. Then, you can apply peppermint essential oil because it will help you to keep the inflammation under control.
Anti – inflammatory diet: This diet can help to keep the tissue/fascia healthy as you are getting older. You should eat a nutrient – dense diet because it is very important if you have medical conditions, like arthritis or diabetes or autoimmune diseases which are contributing to your pain or contracture. You should eat clean sources of protein, such as eggs, turkey, organic chicken, grass – fed beef and wild – caught salmon. Also, you should eat healthy fats, such as avocado, seeds, nuts, grass – fed butter, olive oil and coconut oil.
You should add foods rich in antioxidants in your diet, such as bone broth, green tea, sea veggies, herbs and spices, leafy greens, berries and citrus fruits. It is known fact that the collagen powder or protein powder which is made from bone broth can help to support the healing process of damaged connective tissue. Also, you should add fiber – rich foods in your diet, such as nuts and seeds (like walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, chia seeds), berries, cruciferous veggies, green leafy vegetables and artichokes.
You should eat magnesium – rich foods, like banana, avocado, cocoa, certain types of nuts and seeds, grass – fed dairy, and vegetables like Swiss chard and spinach. You should stay away from sugar and processed carbohydrates.
If you want to consume sugar and you cannot completely quit it, then you should replace the sugar with stevia which is a no – calorie sweetener. In some cases, doctors are recommending their patients to avoid grains, especially wheat bread, white flour products, gluten – containing grains, even oatmeal and whole – grain breads. You should switch from a conventional cow’s milk to a goat or sheep’s milk or you can consume dairy products which come from A2 cows. You should avoid synthetic ingredients, a lot of artificial sweeteners, additives, preservatives and sodium.
It is known fact that large amounts of sodium can worsen the fluid retention and they can increase the swelling so this is a reason why you should limit your sodium intake from processed, packaged, frozen or canned foods. Also, there are some supplements which can help to reduce the inflammation, such as bromelain, Vitamin B6, turmeric and Omega – 3 fatty acids, and some types of essential oils, such as cypress essential oil and wintergreen essential oil.
Make Dupuytren’s contracture exercises: If you had a procedure done to help treat the Dupuytren’s contracture in the recent past, then you can help to relieve the swelling and pressure in your hands by elevating your hands above the heart and gently moving your fingers. [3,4,5]
Even if you have not treated the Dupuytren’s contracture, you should make stretch exercise, stretching your hands on regular basis, because this can help to keep them from locking or stiffening.
These types of exercises are recommended to reduce the swelling and stiffness, as well as to improve the strength and functionality of the affected hand. You should visit a physical therapist or hand therapist which can help you to start doing these exercises in a right way. Also, your therapist can recommend you to wear a splint while you are recovering in order to stabilize your hands.
You can gently straighten the affected finger for ten times using your opposite hand and hold for 5 – 10 seconds. You should repeat this exercise 4 times per day. You can place your hand on a flat tabletop and then lift the palm off the table while you are keeping your fingers on the table. It is recommended repeating this type of 5 – 10 times. Also, you can hold your hand up. You should make the thumb to touch the tip of each finger and in this way you should create a circle of the finger and thumb.
References:
[1] An HS, Southworth SR, Jackson WT, Russ B. Cigarette smoking and Dupuytren’s contracture of the hand. Journal of Hand Surgery. 1988;13(6):872-4.
[2] Shmagel A, Onizuka N, Langsetmo L, et al. Low magnesium intake is associated with increased knee pain in subjects with radiographic knee osteoarthritis: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2018;26(5):651-8.
[3] Mah D, Branson R. Case study: Dupuytren’s contracture in a young female powerlifter. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2019;2(Suppl2):S93-4.
[4] Bayat A, McGrouther DA. Management of Dupuytren’s disease – Clear advice for an elusive condition. Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. 2006;88(1):3–8.
[5] Ball C, Izadi D, Verjee LS, et al. Systematic review of non-surgical treatments for early Dupuytren’s disease. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2016.
