I have it and had surgery on both hands using needle sized scapulas and it worked but it came back. It did not hurt though. I went to a surgeon in Tucson who told me of a new surgery that is once and done. He opened my hand up and did not sew it back up. It was bandaged and washed every day. It closed and healed on its own. It took around 4 1/2 weeks. That was 4 years ago and is good to go and no more surgeries.

I found this informative article that may be of some help...

https://utswmed.org/medblog/dupuytrens-contracture-treatment/

I also see there is a wand that can be used in the early stages...I did not find any treatments in my alternative medicine books...it appears to be strictly a physical impairment that needs to be corrected. Good luck to your friend...tell him to read, read all he can about the disorder and its' treatments...he may be surprised at what he finds...the Lord has never failed me in letting me know what to do for any health issue...and you can bet He has all the answers...

A physician friend, who has Dupuytren's, explained that it is basically the same thing as Peyronie's Disease. I would start with some research on fibrinolytics, as it relates both to Dupuytren's and Peyronie's, and see where that leads.

I do know of this - it runs in my family and is related to plantar fibromas on the feet. My mom had the surgery with limited success. Other family members and I have used Nattokinase, with some success, to dissolve the fibromas (Lederhosen disease) on the feet. A nodule on my palm also has shrunk.

Found this in support: https://dupuytrens-contracture.com/product/nattokinase/

I think Serrapeptase would also help.

Suggest your friend try rubbing his hands with magnesium oil to help relieve the contractions.

My sister had it along with cortical basal degenerative disease. Both progressed very quickly. It wasn’t nice to watch. Your friend should investigate an all red meat diet.

My understanding is that it is similar to other auto immune problems.

Nonsurgical Treatment: One nonsurgical treatment option for Dupuytren’s contracture is called needle fasciotomy (or needle aponeurotomy). This can be safely done in the medical office or a procedure room. The patient is usually fully awake. The hand and finger are injected with a numbing medicine. In a few minutes when the skin is numb, a needle is inserted below the skin to cut the cord in several locations. The physician then slowly stretches the hand and fingers to break the cord. This allows the hand to be straight again. It is not unusual to develop small tears of the skin that heal over a few weeks. The recovery is only a few days. The hand can be used as much as the patient is comfortable. The wounds must be protected to reduce risk of infection. This procedure does not remove the cord fully from below the skin. Roughly one third of patients will see the cord eventually come back after this procedure.

Another office procedure option is a two-step procedure that includes a collagenase injection. This is similar to needle fasciotomy. Instead, it uses an injectable drug called collagenase to dissolve the cord. The physician will inject the cord at the first visit with the medication. Many patients will experience some swelling, bruising of the hand, and pain after the injection. To limit these symptoms the hand is often wrapped in a bulky dressing. The patient is also instructed to elevate the hand and limit use. Sometimes oral medications are advised such as acetaminophen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The second visit is usually one or a few days later. At that visit, the hand and fingers will be injected again. This time a numbing medication is placed for comfort. A few minutes later, the physician will slowly stretch out and straighten the finger joints to break the cord. Some patients may develop small tears in the skin. Similar to needle fasciotomy, the recovery is only a few days to a few weeks. The hand can be used normally almost immediately once the swelling goes down and the numbing medication wears off. This does not remove the cord fully from below the skin, and one third of patients will see the cord come back. Talk to your doctor about your eligibility to receive this injection.

Splinting and therapy may be used to help keep the hand and fingers straight after the treatment is completed. The main reason to undergo treatment is to increase your ability to straighten the finger. However, it is also very important to work on your ability to make a fist during recovery.

Just lost my reply to your comment, so here goes, again.

I treat this condition all the time at my Clinic. There is no surgery for this that works. Those that have had “surgery” for it regret it, as it doesn’t correct the condition, and often results in other aggravating conditions that never need to have occurred. In fact, trigger finger and OA usually occur after the surgery. This may be due to the insistence on “making a fist” during post-op rehab that ignores the real and helpful exercises. There is no medication for it. What “treatment” is your buddy expecting?

Simply. STRETCH the tissue. Keep it warm, and STRETCH it. Stretch the fingers/thumb, whatever is affected into EXTENSION. Never flexion for this, as it is already contractured down. Stretch it to tension-point and hold for a minute or two. Release it, and repeat, repeat, repeat, ... This should be done many, many times a day. Have it become a habit. A professional-pianist client uses this and his playing has not been affected.

Doing this won’t get rid of it. As far as I know, nothing will. This may keep things at bay, and indeed, those that follow the stretching regime very rarely have their Contracture get to the debilitating point. The quicker you get at it, the better it is.

However, just to be sure, have your buddy get a second (and a third, etc) opinion to rule out Ehlers Danlos.

Good luck and Blessings for your buddy.

Yes. My first husband (kids father) had it. Don't know whatever became of his hand, they said it ran in families, but no one in his family had it that he recalled.

Not only have I heard of it, I have one. I've had it for over 20 years. For me, there is no progression and no interference with normal operation. I have heard of some nonsurgical options, but I am not specifically familiar with them. Hand surgeries can advance or enhance arthritis later in life. I would be personally uncomfortable with medical tourism but I have heard of people who do it and are completely satisfied.

Once again yall never cease to amaze me, thank you to everyone who has responded. Trying tk keep up with them, but thank you!!!!!!