Skip to main content

Preliminary Soft-Tissue Distraction with the Digit WidgetTM in the Management of Advanced Dupuytren Contracture at the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Dupuytren Disease and Related Diseases - The Cutting Edge

Abstract

Flexion contractures of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint remain a challenge. The Digit WidgetTM (Hand Biomechanics Lab, Inc., Sacramento, CA) is an important tool for soft-tissue correction of flexion contractures at the proximal interphalangeal joint caused by Dupuytren disease. Soft-tissue distraction using the Digit WidgetTM allows gradual lengthening of the soft tissues and the neurovascular bundles. The lengthening maximizes correction by the Digit WidgetTM as compared to conventional methods employed for contracture release.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Agee J, Goss B (2012) The use of skeletal extension torque in reversing dupuytren contractures of the proximal interphalangeal joint. J Hand Surg 37:1467–1474

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey A, Van der Stappen J, Sims TJ, Messina A (1994) The continuous elongation technique for severe Dupuytren's disease. A biochemical mechanism. J Hand Surg Br 19:522–527

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ball C, Nanchahal J (2002) The use of splinting as a non-surgical treatment for Dupuytren’s disease: a pilot study. Br J Hand Ther 7:76–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Brandes G, Messina A, Reale E (1994) The palmar fascia after treatment by the continuous extension technique for Dupuytren's contracture. J Hand Surg Br 19:528–533

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Citron N, Messina J (1998) The use of skeletal traction in the treatment of severe primary Dupuytren's disease. J Bone Joint Surg Br 80:126–129

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Craft R, Smith A, Coakley B, Casey W, Rebecca A, Duncan S (2011) Preliminary soft-tissue distraction versus checkrein ligament release after fasciectomy in the treatment of Dupuytren proximal interphalangeal joint contractures. Plast Reconstr Surg 128:1107–1113

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Donaldson O, Pearson D, Reynolds R, Bhatia R (2010) The association between intraoperative correction of Dupuytren's disease and residual postoperative contracture. J Hand Surg Eur Vol 35:220–223

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Larocerie-Salgado J, Davidson J (2012) Nonoperative treatment of PIPJ flexion contractures associated with Dupuytren's disease. J Hand Surg Eur Vol 37:722–727

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McFarlane R (1974) Patterns of the diseased fascia in the fingers in Dupuytren’s contracture. Plast Reconstr Surg 54:31–44

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Messina A, Messina J (1993) The continuous elongation treatment by the TEC device for severe Dupuytren’s contracture of the fingers. Plast Reconstr Surg 92:84–90

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Misra A, Jain A, Ghazanfar R, Johnston T, Nanchaha J (2007) Predicting the outcome of surgery for the proximal interphalangeal joint in Dupuytren's disease. J Hand Surg Am 32:240–245

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rives K, Gelberman R, Smith B, Carney K (1992) Severe contractures of the proximal interphalangeal joint in Dupuytren’s disease: results of a prospective trial of operative correction and dynamic extension splinting. J Hand Surg Am 17:1153–1159

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Giffen N, Degreef I, De Smet L (2006) Dupuytren’s disease: outcome of the proximal interphalangeal joint in isolated fifth ray involvement. Acta Orthop Belg 72:671–677

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of Interest Declaration

We do not have any disclosures to declare or conflicts of interest in the completion of this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Solomon Azouz .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Azouz, S., Biswas, A., Smith, A. (2017). Preliminary Soft-Tissue Distraction with the Digit WidgetTM in the Management of Advanced Dupuytren Contracture at the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint. In: Werker, P., Dias, J., Eaton, C., Reichert, B., Wach, W. (eds) Dupuytren Disease and Related Diseases - The Cutting Edge. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32199-8_38

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32199-8_38

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-32197-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-32199-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics