What is the 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.

What causes Viking finger?

It results from a thickening and scarring of connective tissue under the skin in the palm of the hand and in the fingers. Dupuytren's (du-pwe-TRANZ) contracture is a hand deformity that usually develops over years. The condition affects a layer of tissue that lies under the skin of your palm.

Is Viking finger hereditary?

To answer the question in the title. 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.

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 the cause of Dupuytren's?

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.

Vikings disease study underway in South Florida

What happens if Dupuytren's contracture is left untreated?

If left untreated, Dupuytren's contracture can be debilitating. As the condition progresses, it can limit your ability to open your hand fully, grasp small objects, or insert your hands in narrow spaces.

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.

How do you fix Dupuytren's contracture without surgery?

XIAFLEX® is the only FDA-approved treatment for Dupuytren's contracture that does not require surgery. A hand specialist will inject this enzyme treatment directly into the cord that's causing limited mobility in the finger. The enzyme releases the cord.

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.

What can be done for Dupuytren's contracture?

How common is Viking DNA?

The genetic legacy of the Viking Age lives on today with six percent of people of the UK population predicted to have Viking DNA in their genes compared to 10 percent in Sweden. Professor Willerslev concluded: “The results change the perception of who a Viking actually was. The history books will need to be updated.”

Is Dupuytren's a disability?

Is Dupuytren's contracture a disability? Dupuytren's contracture can result in a functional disability if it's severe and affects a person's range of motion and fine motor skills. Fortunately, it rarely affects the index and middle fingers, so writing ability stays intact.

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].

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.

How long does it take for Dupuytren's contracture to develop?

A Dupuytren's contracture typically progresses very slowly, over a period of years. Signs and symptoms of the condition may include: Nodules. You may develop one or more small lumps, or nodules, in the palm of your hand.

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 life threatening?

Also known as Dupuytren's disease, the condition can affect both hands, including the thumbs. It is not life-threatening, although it can be discomforting.

What should I avoid with Dupuytren's contracture?

If you have mild Dupuytren's contracture, you can protect your hands by: Avoiding a tight grip on tools by building up the handles with pipe insulation or cushion tape. Using gloves with heavy padding during heavy grasping tasks.

Does Dupuytren's affect other parts of the body?

However, Dupuytren's can be associated with conditions that cause contractures in other areas of the body, including the: Knuckle pads (Garrod knuckle pads) Soles of the feet (Ledderhose disease) Penis (Peyronie's disease)

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 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.

What are the stages of Dupuytren's?

Dupuytren contracture progresses through three phases: (1) proliferative, (2) involution, and (3) residual.

What's the difference between trigger finger and Dupuytren's contracture?

Trigger finger can happen from repetitive use, and be influenced by diabetes, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis and is more likely to occur in women. Dupuytren's contracture, meanwhile, usually happens in the ring and pinky fingers. (Though, again, it can happen in any finger.)

What diseases are associated with Dupuytren's contracture?

Dupuytren's disease is a benign, progressive fibroproliferative disease of the palmar fascia that results in flexion contractures of the involved digits and significant functional impairment. It is also associated with debilitating fibromatoses of the feet (Ledderhose disease) and the penis (Peyronie's disease).

Where did Dupuytren's contracture come from?

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.