diagnosis

Last reviewed 01/2018

When examining a patient the clinician should take into account:

  • the extent of the disease
  • any skin involvement
  • the site of the nodule, presence (or absence) of joint contractures, bands; and skin pitting, tenderness, and dimpling (1,2)

Hueston’s tabletop test can be used to evaluate the necessity of surgical intervention. The test is said to be positive when the patient is unable to place all fingers in a flat position on a table top (1).

Dupuytren's contracture must be distinguished from:

  • tendon contracture - where the thickening moves on passive flexion
  • skin contracture - where there is usually a history and evidence of a previous laceration

Reference: