Did Margaret Thatcher have Dupuytren's?

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher entered a London hospital for a one-hour operation on her hand today. Mrs. Thatcher, 60 years old, has a condition known as Dupuytren's Contracture, which causes the little finger to withdraw into the palm and which, if untreated, can cause loss of use of the hand.

What nationality gets Dupuytren's contracture?

Frequency. Dupuytren contracture occurs in about 5 percent of people in the United States. The condition is 3 to 10 times more common in people of European descent than in those of non-European descent.

Why are Bill Nighy's fingers curled?

One of the first things you notice about Bill Nighy is his hands. He suffers from Dupuytren's contracture, a condition that causes some of his fingers to bend in towards the palm, which can make shaking hands with fans difficult.

What famous people have Dupuytren's contracture?

An estimated ten million Americans (thirty million worldwide) have signs of Dupuytren disease. Dupuytren celebrities include politicians Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Mitt Romney, actor Paul Newman, singer Frank Sinatra, comedians Bill Murray, Chelsea Handler, and many, many others – in all walks of life.

Is Dupuytren's contracture related to Vikings?

For a long time Dupuytren's disease has been termed a 'disease of the Vikings'. Unfortunately research published in 2019 concluded that there is no genetic evidence that Dupuytren's disease is of 'Viking' origin. But if you want to tell your friends and family you are descended from the Vikings we won't correct you!

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Is Dupuytren's an autoimmune disease?

In terms of the immunological features of DD, evidence has persistently suggested the involvement of both T and B lymphocytes in DD etiology [7, 38]. As such, the disease has frequently been termed a “T-cell-mediated autoimmune disorder” [6].

Is Dupuytren's hereditary?

Dupuytren's contracture is believed to run in families (be hereditary). The exact cause is not known. It may be linked to cigarette smoking, alcoholism, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, or medicines used to treat seizures.

What aggravates Dupuytren's contracture?

What aggravates Dupuytren's contracture? There are a number of risk factors for Dupuytren's contracture. People who have type 2 diabetes, consume alcohol and tobacco, or take certain medications for seizures are at higher risk for developing Dupuytren's contracture.

Is Dupuytren's related to arthritis?

Dupuytren's contracture: This form of arthritis causes the tissue beneath the hand to develop nodules in the fingers and palms. These lumps can cause the fingers to stick in place.

Is Vikings disease the same as trigger finger?

The answer to that question is no. Upon first glance, these two things might seem very similar, but they are actually very different medical conditions. In fact, the only similarity is that they both affect finger flexion. Trigger finger involves the tendons, and Dupuytren contractor involves the tissue.

What is a Viking finger?

It is defined by Dorland as shortening, thickening, and fibrosis of the palmar fascia producing a flexion deformity of a finger. Tradition has it that the disease originated with the Vikings, who spread it throughout Northern Europe and beyond as they traveled and intermarried.

Does Dupuytren's contracture come back after surgery?

Recovery can take several months. Most people can move their fingers better after Dupuytren's contracture surgery, but the condition comes back in about one in five people who have the procedure.

What hand exercises are good for Dupuytren's contracture?

Finger lifts: In one of the most simple exercises, you can lay your palm flat on a smooth surface, like a table or desk. Next, practice raising each finger one at a time, pausing after each raise for a few seconds. You can repeat this exercise several times per day.

Do Dupuytren's nodules go away?

At this stage, the hard lumps in the palm are called nodules. They may go away on their own in a small number of patients, but they usually progress. They can stay for months or years before anything else happens, says Eaton. Although many types of treatment have been tried for early stages, few have shown a benefit.

Does Dupuytren's shorten life?

Dupuytren disease is also associated with diabetes, hyperlipidemia, a variety of other medical conditions, increased cancer risk and shortened lifespan.

Is Dupuytren's contracture considered a disability UK?

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have recognised another condition, known as Dupuytren's Contracture, as a recognised industrial disease for the purposes of making a claim for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB).

What happens if you don't treat Dupuytren's contracture?

But a more likely scenario if you don't treat Dupuytren's is that over time your hand will develop hard chord-like formations that pull on your ring or pinky fingers, pulling them into a stuck position. If this goes untreated, it can make simple tasks involving your hand very difficult.

Is Dupuytren's associated with other diseases?

Dupuytren disease is a genetic disorder that often is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, but is most frequently seen with a multifactorial etiology. It is associated with diabetes, seizure disorders, smoking, alcoholism, HIV, and vascular disease.

Does stretching help Dupuytren's?

If you have mild Dupuytren's disease, you may be able to keep your fingers moving with regular stretching. Surgery usually helps in severe cases.

Does magnesium help Dupuytren's contracture?

Magnesium. Although more research is needed, a magnesium supplement may be able to help relax a contracture. The Dupuytren Foundation shared a report of a woman with Dupuytren's contracture who began taking a magnesium supplement and found some improvement in her condition. According to the author of the report, Dr.

Is Dupuytren's dominant or recessive?

Age-related, dominant inheritance is a mode favored by several authors whereas others consider autosomal recessive inheritance as a possible explanation for sporadic cases of Dupuytren's disease.

Why is Dupuytren called Vikings disease?

Dupuytren's disease has been given the moniker “the Viking disease” due to its prevalence in the north of Europe and those of Northern European descent.

How can you prevent Dupuytren's?

There are no proven ways to prevent Dupuytren's disease or limit its progress. Hand therapy and rehabilitation using thermoplastic night splints and regular physiotherapy exercises may aid in the postoperative recovery period.

Can vitamin E help Dupuytren's?

A. It has been claimed that striking success can be gained in the treatment of Dupu'tren's contracture of the palmar fascia by simple oral administration of vitamin E in high dosage. It has been said that, after such treatment, thickening of the fascia disappears anti contracture of the fingers is relieved.

Does alcohol make Dupuytren's worse?

Drinking alcohol seems to is traditionally said to increase the risk of developing Dupuytren's, especially for those drinking more than 5 units per week.