Recovery story of Attila Berecki and Dupuytren's contracture
Author Dr. Anett Lénárt | 2023.04.12.
Dupuytren's contracture was first described by Napoleon Bonaparte's doctor, Guillaume Dupuytren, in 1831.
Prolonged hand complaints and finding a doctor
I am Attila Bereczki, 73 years old, and my palmar cirrhosis problem started almost 10 years ago. In my palmar cirrhosis, the nodule or string that she (Dr. Anett Lénárt - editor) was able to dissolve had a second string underneath it. You couldn't see it and it was in the early stages. It had developed so much that it was pulling my finger all the way in. Two of my fingers were unmanageable and I could only grip with the remaining three.
Dupuytren's contracture is a specific disease of the hand in which the fingers of the hand begin to bend, retracting towards the palm.
This characteristic bending is caused by thickening and shortening of the fibres under the skin of the palm, which are attached to the strong connective membrane, which also affects the movement of the fingers. The narrowing of the joints will not recover on its own, and in fact generally worsens over time. It is therefore advisable to seek medical advice at an early stage of the onset of symptoms.
A solution had to be found. That's how we found the Budapest Musculoskeletal Private Clinic. Dr. Anett Lénárt was a doctor we liked.
About Dupuytren's contracture and its surgical solutions
Dupuytren's contracture is basically a genetic disease, which is a hereditary predisposition. It is most common in people with northern European ancestry. Hence the nickname “Viking disease”.
Dupuytren's contracture, or palmar cirrhosis main symptom is a bent finger or fingers. This condition greatly interferes with the patient's ability to drive a car and to also causes difficulties in everyday activities.
The disease can be treated with several surgical solutions.
Dr Anett Lénárt on the surgical treatment of Dupuytren's contracture:
Dupuytren's contracture is a complete inability to stretch the fingers. Previously we had the option of injectable treatment...no longer available. We looked for another solution and this one a surgical procedure called needle aponeurotomy, which we can do under local anaesthetic.
Local anaesthetise the skin of the palm and use a strong, sharp needle to cut the tight bundles covered under the skin. So there will only be tiny pinpricks on the patient's hand. This allows us to stretch the finger. This is not a permanent solution either, but a lasting improvement in movement can be achieved. Recovery is a few days.
We can improve movement quickly, with few complications and relatively little intervention.
There is also a more extensive surgical procedure for Dupuytren's contracture, which is performed under general anaesthesia or axillary anaesthesia. In this case, a so-called zigzag incision is made from the palm to the finger to open and remove the shrunken palmar membrane. This removal and mobilisation of the joints allows the finger or fingers to be stretched.
Immediate improvement after surgery
My hand was already stretched out in the operating theatre. It was in a holding position, completely straightened. It was practically fixed very quickly. It was just the pinpricks that needed to heal.
The needle aponeurotomy called surgical procedure, the patient will be fully recovered within a few days and can resume life with a fully functioning hand.
It is advisable to contact the right doctor in the early stages of complaints hand specialist, so that palmar cirrhosis can be easily treated before the problem worsens.
Our dear patient Attila Berecki encourages everyone to do the same:
I can say to similar queue mates not to wait so terribly long until it is completely retracted. Go to the Private Clinic for Musculoskeletal Disorders in Budapest and I recommend Dr. Anett Lénárt, because she is very patient, very sweet and has solved this problem. You will be in good hands if you go to her!