Ask the Doc: Joseph Ravalese, III, MD Radiation Oncologist

Posted on 9/25/2025

What is Dupuytren’s contracture and how is it treated?

Dr. Ravalese: In several sites in our bodies, we have a tough fibrous connective tissue beneath our skin called fascia. This helps to protect the underlying blood vessels, tendons and nerves. In Dupuytren’s disease, the fascia undergoes a progressive process causing nodules and cords that you can feel in the palm of the hand along the finger tendons. This can tighten the tendons, resulting in flexion of the fingers. 

Treatment can include radiation therapy, surgery, or simply continuing to follow the disease and watching the progression. If radiation therapy is indicated, the schedule is generally two single weeks of treatment (30 minutes in the office each day for a four-to-six-minute radiation treatment) with approximately four to six weeks in between.