Dupuytren’s (due-pa-trens) contracture (DC) is a hand deformity that usually takes many years to develop. This condition affects a layer of tissue that lies just beneath the skin of your palm, causing knots of tissue to form. These knots eventually form together to create a thick cord that can pull one or more fingers into a bent position. Fingers affected by a DC cannot be straightened completely, which can complicate everyday activities. The surgical procedure to treat DC involves the surgeon making an incision on the palm of the hand, just above the contracture site. Great care is taken to identify all affected structures, due to the contracture strongly adhering to surrounding tissues. Once identified, the DC is carefully released and removed. The function of the hand and finger joints is checked to ensure that movement has been restored. Because the skin retracts (gets shorter) over the years that the deformity progresses, the physician may have to make in a zig-zag patterned incision in the beginning of the procedure so that the skin can be closed properly at the end of the procedure. Depending on the amount of tissue that must be freed from the hand, the DC release procedure usually takes 30-40 minutes to complete. Dupuytren’s Contracture release procedures are routinely performed under monitored anesthesia care. Follow-up care includes suture removal and assessment of the incision site approximately 7 days following the procedure.