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Dupuytren’s Contracture “Crooked Finger“

After extensive testing and evaluation, the FDA has recently approved Xiaflex®, an injectable collagenase enzyme to treat Dupuytren’s Contracture, which now gives those suffering from “Crooked Finger Disease” a nonsurgical therapy option.

Image of a person with Dupuytren's Contracture or, "Crooked Finger" with the pinky bent upward
Dr. Paul Vanek holding a patient's hand and observing a crooked finger

The clinical use of this biochemical agent involves an injection performed in the office to digest the cord collagen. Patients who have contracture at the MCP (the knuckle) or at the PIP (the first joint) from Dupuytren’s fibrosis are candidates for the injection therapy. The fibrosis in the palm is not as responsive to injection therapy and may require excisional surgery using tourniquet anesthesia. Patients who have the finger contracture can be injected monthly up to three times. The patient is seen the next day for a mobilization maneuver to hopefully break the cord. Tendon rupture is a small risk of the injection, because it contains high collagen content and is in close proximity to the fibrotic cord in the finger. Dr. Paul Vanek is credentialed in the safe use of Xiaflex™ collagenase injection. The procedure is not cosmetic.