ABSTRACT
Dupuytren’s disease (DD) is a fixed flexion contracture deform-
ity of the fingers that can cause progressive loss of hand
function. It was first described by Felix Plater of Basel in 1614
(1). Henry Cline, from London, in 1777 was the first to recognize
the role of the palmar fascia. However, in these early times
confusion still existed as to whether the flexor tendons, their
sheaths, or the palmar fascia were responsible for the finger
contractures. Baron Guillaume Dupuytren, in France, in 1831 (2)
correctly described the pathologic anatomy and performed
surgery to correct the condition. Thus, the disorder now bears
his name.
