•      What is it ? Gradual tightening and contraction of the palm and fingers into a bent position due to the development of

        abnormal fibrous tissue.

•      Why? It is not always known but can run in families and is associated with diabetes and some medications.

•      Surgical Treatment

•      Needle fasciotomy - Under local anaesthetic the cords are broken down with a needle straightening the fingers.

•      Fasciectomy - parts or all of the fibrous cords are removed under regional or general anaesthetic

•      Dermofasciectomy - Usually used in aggressive recurrent disease, the cords and overlying skin is removed and a skin

       graft is used to cover the soft tissues.

What are the complications?

The less invasive procedures such as needle fasciotomy have smaller risks compared to fasciectomy or dermofasciectomy. However the recurrence rate is higher, quoted at 80% at 2 years. Fasciectomy has a lower recurrence rate, quoted at 10-20% at 5 years. I perform Fasciectomy and dermofasciectomy procedures under General or Regional Anaesthetic.

Common risks of treatment include pain infection stifffness, wound healing issues, nerve injury 1%, compromised blood supply to finger (more common in revision surgery), Recurrence, Poor scarring, Complex regional pain syndrome

Needle Fasciotomy

Anaesthetic : Local Anaesthetic

Operative time : 15 minutes

Hospital Stay : Day Case

Time off work : 1-2 weeks

Recovery Time : 1 week

Fasciectomy

Anaesthetic : Regional or General Anaesthetic

Operative time : 60-90 minutes

Hospital Stay : Day Case

Time off work : 6-8 weeks ( Depends on Occupation)

Recovery Time : 6-8 weeks

Dermofasciectomy

Anaesthetic : Regional or General Anaesthetic

Operative time : up to 120 minutes

Hospital Stay : Day Case

Time off work : 6-12 weeks

Recovery Time : 12 weeks