Doctor, Doctor...
By Dave Hall
For all you hypochondriacs out there, Dave Hall continues his regular look at a some of the more unusual medical conditions, as well as some you thought you knew all about.
This week: DUPUYTREN'S CONTRACTURE.
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Condition – An odd medical condition where the fingers bend towards the palm and cannot be fully straightened. It arises when the tissue under the skin on the palm thickens so that the tendons cannot move as easily. This pulls the fingers down towards the palm so they cannot extend as much. It’s named after Baron Guillaume Dupuytren, a surgeon who described an operation to correct it. The even more strangely named Ledderhose's Disease is the equivalent for the feet.
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Contagion – It’s not genetic – so you can't point the finger at anyone. It can be triggered by continually using heavy machinery, having hand surgery, epilepsy and other conditions. Northern Europeans are most at risk and men are ten times more likely to get it than women!
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| Danger of death – Not likely, the most you’ll get is a sore hand. |  |
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Incurability? – Surgery can remove the fibrous tissue around the fingers, radiotherapy and pain relieving injections can all be suitable treatments.
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Likelihood of getting time off work – If you work in an office and can't type properly because of the disorder, you may be given time off to go and sort it out - if you’re lucky.
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| Brag-ability – Not sure that inward-pointing fingers is much to shout about, but you can always mention some of the famous Dupuytren’s patients, which include Margaret Thatcher, Bill Nighy and Ronald Reagan. |
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Overall ridiculousness – Not a condition that you should palm off – but you might end up better at catching. |
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More conditions to come soon:
Chikungunya, Smallpox and more.
Find more curious conditions in Doctor Doctor. If you can't wait for the next Doctor Doctor, then why not find a Phunny Phobia to keep you going?
Photo: DH
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