The effect of the severity of the Dupuytren's contracture on the function of the hand before and after surgery.

This study investigated the effect on the power and function of the hand of loss of finger(s) extension, number of fingers involved and the patient's age in Dupuytren's disease and the influence of improvement of finger extension and the patient's age on these variables after surgery. Median values at presentation included total loss of extension 80 degrees, total grip strength 41 kg and DASH score 54. Twelve months postoperatively, the median value of total loss of extension decreased to 10 degrees and the DASH score to 32 (both significant improvements). Grip strength decreased slightly to 40 kg. The severity of the contracture had no significant effect on function but had a significant negative effect on power. The number of fingers involved affected neither function nor power. The age of the patient did not influence function of the hand. However, older patients experienced less functional benefit from surgery. The improvement of finger extension following surgery had significant beneficial effect on function, but no effect on power.