Dupuytren’s disease, also called Dupuytren’s contracture, is a condition that usually affects middle-aged and older adults, and is more common in men than women. It causes firm nodules to form just beneath the skin of the palm, sometimes extending into cords that pull the fingers toward the palm, making it difficult to straighten them fully.

The skin may develop small pits over these nodules and cords. Some people also develop nodules over the finger knuckles (Garrod’s knuckle pads) or lumps on the soles of the feet.

The exact cause is unknown, but Dupuytren’s disease is more common in people of Northern European descent and often runs in families.

It may be linked to diabetes, smoking, and high alcohol intake, though many affected individuals have none of these risk factors. It is not caused by manual work.

Occasionally, it can develop after injury or surgery to the hand or wrist.

The condition usually starts with nodules in the palm, often in line with the ring finger.

These nodules may be slightly tender at first but typically become painless over time. In about one-third of cases, the nodules progress into cords that bend the fingers toward the palm, limiting the ability to straighten them.

Fingers usually contract slowly over months or years. In some cases, the web space between the thumb and index finger may narrow.

Trigger finger, medically known as stenosing tenosynovitis, occurs when a finger tendon becomes inflamed and catches as it glides through its surrounding sheath. This can cause the finger to lock, catch, or move with difficulty. It most commonly affects the thumb, middle, or ring finger, and may involve one or multiple fingers.

The exact cause is often unclear, but trigger finger can be associated with:

• Repetitive hand or finger movements
  
• Diabetes or other metabolic conditions
  
• Inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis
  
• Thickening of the tendon or narrowing of its sheath, leading to restricted movement

Patients may notice:

• Finger catching, locking, or “sticking” when bending or straightening
  
• Pain or tenderness at the base of the finger or thumb
  
• Stiffness, particularly in the morning
  
• Clicking or snapping sensation when moving the finger

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the wrist’s carpal tunnel. This compression can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand. Carpal tunnel release surgery alleviates this pressure by carefully dividing the transverse carpal ligament, restoring function and comfort.

CTS can result from:

• Compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel
  
• Repetitive hand or wrist movements
  
• Medical conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disease
  
• Idiopathic (unknown) causes in some patients

Common signs include:

• Tingling, numbness, or “pins and needles” in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers
  
• Weak grip or tendency to drop objects
  
• Pain or discomfort in the hand, often worse at night
  
• Muscle wasting at the base of the thumb in advanced cases