Disease of unknown origin, affecting almost exclusively the white race. There is a hereditary predisposition and an association with various other conditions such as diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, alcoholism, trauma. Both sexes are equally affected after the 5th-6th decade of life. Palmar denervation thickens, rickets and causes the fingers to curl.
Mainly, the little finger (70%) and the ring finger (65%) are affected. The disease begins with the appearance of small hard nodules (lumps) along the course of the flexor tendons and then a chord develops leading to progressive bending of the finger. It is often bilateral. Treatment is usually surgical (periodic debridement). It is often underestimated and this is because we do not know that the skin is the largest organ in our body, making up 16% of our weight, and is responsible for maintaining our homeostasis. The skin is a barrier to heat loss, water and electrolyte loss and is a major barrier to microbes.
