What is the Difference Between Dupuytren’s and De Quervain’s Condition

Dupuytren’s and De Quervain’s conditions are two medical conditions that affect hands. They are also known as hand disorders. However, they have different aetiologies and should be treated differently.

The key difference between Dupuytren’s and De Quervain’s condition is their aetiologies. Dupuytren’s condition is an abnormal thickening of fascia in the palm of the hand at the base of the fingers while De Quervain’s condition is a painful inflammation around the thumb tendons.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Dupuytren’s Condition  
3. What is De Quervain’s Condition
4. Similarities – Dupuytren’s and De Quervain’s Condition
5. Dupuytren’s vs De Quervain’s Condition in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Dupuytren’s vs De Quervain’s Condition
7. FAQ – Dupuytren’s and De Quervain’s Condition

What is Dupuytren’s Condition?

Dupuytren’s disease, also known as Dupuytren’s contracture, is characterized by abnormal thickening of the fascia, a layer of tissue beneath the skin in the palm of the hand near the base of the fingers. This condition often runs in families, though its exact cause remains unknown. Risk factors include age (typically starting in middle age), gender (males are more commonly affected), family history, use of seizure medication, smoking or alcohol abuse, and diabetes. Symptoms may include difficulty laying the hand flat on a table, small tender lumps in the palm that may resolve over time, thickening and contraction of nodules, skin pits or grooves caused by compressed fingers, fingers pulled forward, and impaired hand function.

Dupuytren’s contracture can be diagnosed through family history and physical examinations. Furthermore, treatment options for Dupuytren’s contracture may include surgery, steroid shots (injections), radiation therapy, enzyme injections, and needle aponeurotomy.

What is De Quervain’s Condition?

De Quervain’s condition, also known as de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, de Quervain’s tendinosis, or de Quervain’s tendinitis, involves painful inflammation around the thumb tendons. It can result from overuse of the thumb or wrist, repetitive grasping or gripping, certain health conditions causing inflammation, or direct trauma to the thumb or wrist. Symptoms may include pain in the wrist on the same side as the thumb, swelling, a snapping or popping sensation in the wrist during thumb movement, stiffness or a sensation of roughness in the thumb, and numbness in the wrist or thumb.

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis can be diagnosed through physical examination and X-ray. Furthermore, treatment options for de Quervain’s tenosynovitis may include wearing a splint or brace, icing the wrist, resting, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and surgery.

Similarities Between Dupuytren’s and De Quervain’s Condition

1. Dupuytren’s and De Quervain’s condition are two medical conditions that affect the hands.
2. They can cause mobility issues.
3. Both can be diagnosed through physical examination.
4. They can be treated through medications and surgical procedures.

Difference Between Dupuytren’s and De Quervain’s Condition

Definition

1. Dupuytren’s condition is characterized by an abnormal thickening of the fascia beneath the skin, typically located in the palm of the hand at the base of the fingers.
2. De Quervain’s condition refers to the painful inflammation surrounding the thumb tendons.

Cause

1. Dupuytren’s condition often has a familial predisposition.
2. De Quervain’s condition can result from overuse of the thumb or wrist, repetitive grasping or gripping, underlying health conditions causing inflammation, or direct trauma to the thumb or wrist.

Signs and Symptoms

1. Symptoms of Dupuytren’s condition may include the inability to lay the hand flat on a table, tender lumps in the palm, thickening and contraction of nodules, skin pits or grooves caused by contracted fingers, fingers pulled forward, and impaired hand function.
2. Symptoms of De Quervain’s condition may include pain in the wrist on the same side as the thumb, swelling, a snapping or popping sensation in the wrist during thumb movement, stiffness, a rough sensation in the thumb, and numbness in the wrist or thumb.

Diagnosis

1. Diagnosis of Dupuytren’s condition typically involves evaluating family history and physical examination.
2. Diagnosis of De Quervain’s condition involves physical examination and may include X-ray imaging.

Treatment

1. Treatment options for Dupuytren’s condition may include surgery, steroid injections, radiation therapy, enzyme injections, and needle aponeurotomy.
2. Treatment options for De Quervain’s condition may include wearing a splint or brace, icing the wrist, rest, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), corticosteroid injections, and, in severe cases, surgery.

The infographic below presents the differences between Dupuytren’s and De Quervain’s condition in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Dupuytren’s vs De Quervain’s Condition

Dupuytren’s and De Quervain’s condition affect the hands and they are generally known as hand disorders. Both these conditions lead to problems in the movements of hands. However, Dupuytren’s condition refers to an abnormal thickening of fascia in the palm of the hand at the base of the fingers. De Quervain’s condition is a painful inflammation around the thumb tendons. Thus, this summarizes the difference between Dupuytren’s and De Quervain’s condition.

 FAQ: Dupuytren’s and De Quervain’s Condition

1. What is the most common crippling hand condition?

• The most common crippling hand condition is Dupuytren’s contracture, which may be mistaken for arthritis or tendinitis that may go unnoticed until the fingers start to bend.

2. What causes Dupuytren’s condition?

• The exact cause of Dupuytren’s contracture is unknown, but risk factors include advancing age (starts in middle age), Scandinavian and Celtic ancestry, and certain conditions such as epilepsy, smoking, alcoholism, and diabetes.

3. What are the complications of De Quervain’s condition?

• If De Quervain’s condition is not managed properly, the tendon may become permanently restricted or it may tear or rupture. The affected joint can become stiff.

4. What is the most common cause of De Quervain’s condition?

• De Quervain’s condition is commonly caused by overuse of the thumb or wrist, also known as repetitive strain injury or overuse syndrome. Additionally, autoimmune factors and idiopathic origins may contribute.

5. What are the conditions associated with De Quervain’s condition?

• De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is often associated with overuse of the thumb and wrist, particularly during activities involving repetitive movements. It is also commonly observed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis may have a higher susceptibility to developing De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.

Reference:

1. “Dupuytren’s Disease.” BSSH – The British Society for Surgery of the Hand.
2. “De Quervain Tenosynovitis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Dupuytren’s disease” By Martin Sharman (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DEED) via Flickr

2. “Stenosing tendondosynvitis of thumb De Quervain” By Δρ. Χαράλαμπος Γκούβας (Harrygouvas) – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia