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I have two fingers on my right hand that seem to be stuck in a bent position. At first I was told it's Duputren's. Since it hasn't gotten worse, now they tell me it's really nonDupuytren's. What is that?

Dupuytren's contracture is a fairly common disorder of the fingers. The palmar fascia (connective tissue of the palm) contracts, or tightens. This contracture is like extra scar tissue just under the skin. Without treatment, the contracture can become so severe the finger no longer straightens. It most often affects the ring or little finger, sometimes both, and often in both hands. No one knows exactly what causes Dupuytren's contracture. The condition is rare in young people but becomes more common with age. When it appears at an early age, it usually progresses rapidly and is often very severe. The condition tends to progress more quickly in men than in women. At first, when this condition is mild, careful observation is advised. If the contracture stays the same and doesn't get worse, it may be referred to as nonDupuytren disease. It sounds like this is your situation. If hand function is not impaired, there may be no reason to treat the problem aggressively.

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