Reasonable Hypothesis SOP [1] | 9 of 2019 |
Balance of Probabilities SOP [2] | 10 of 2019 |
SOP Bulletin 206 [3]
Dupuytren disease is a slowly progressive disorder of the palms of the hands in which fibrous tissue proliferates in the palma fascia. This proliferation forms thickening and then nodules and then cords which then contract the affected fingers. The disease can affect both hands and mainly affects the small and ring fingers.
The diagnosis is made on clinical grounds and can be made by a general practitioner.
The appropriate medical specialist is an orthopaedic surgeon or rheumatologist.
# non-SOP condition
The condition mostly affects white males over 50 years old. Patients typically first notice a thickening or a nodule in the palm that can initially be painful or painless.
The condition typically progresses slowly over a period of years. Treatment may alleviate symptoms but is generally ineffective in stopping disease progression. Worsening beyond the normal course would need to occur before clinical worsening factors could be considered.
Links
[1] http://www.rma.gov.au/assets/SOP/2019/009.pdf
[2] http://www.rma.gov.au/assets/SOP/2019/010.pdf
[3] https://clik.dva.gov.au/system/files/media/SOP%20Bulletin%20206.pdf