Observations on contraction of the fingers (Dupuytren's contraction) : and its successful treatment by subcutaneous divisions of the palmar fascia, and immediate extension also on the obliteration of depressed cicatrices after glandular abcesses, or exfoliation of bone by a subcutaneous operation / by William Adams.

  • Adams, William, 1810-1900.
Date:
1879
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on contraction of the fingers (Dupuytren's contraction) : and its successful treatment by subcutaneous divisions of the palmar fascia, and immediate extension also on the obliteration of depressed cicatrices after glandular abcesses, or exfoliation of bone by a subcutaneous operation / by William Adams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    when the ligaments were torn, resumed their crooked position. In some cases, I believe that one or other of the textures above named may be more in fault than the rest, and in others, that even the lumbricales and interossei are in part the cause. Anatomical impossibility of the flexor tendons being in- volved in the contraction.—The impossibility of the flexor tendons being involved in Dupuytren's contraction of the fingers, will, I think, become apparent to any surgeon after an attentive examination of the anatomical rela- tions of the flexor tendons to the fascia, and to the bones at the parts where the most prominent contracted cords usually exist, viz. : first, in the palm of the hand, at a spot corresponding to the transverse flexion-furrow, where the most tense and prominent solitary cord generally exists, as shown in Figs. 11, 13, and others; and secondhj in the neighbourhood of the cutaneous webb between the fingers, where the smaller, but very resisting contracted bands of fascia are always met with, and are directed towards the sides of the phalanges. At these two spots, we have then particularly to study the anatomical relations of the flexor tendons to the fascia, and to the bones. First with regard to the transverse flexion-furrow in the palm of the hand—by this I mean a transverse crease, which on flexion of the fingers is converted into a deep furrow, passing transversely across the palm of the hand, rather more than an inch above the margin of the cutaneous webb between the fingers. This transverse crease, or furrow, is no doubt produced by the habitual flexion of the fingers upon the palm of the hand, and will be found to be more conspicuous in proportion to the hand-labour