Caption

Dupuytren's disease. Sole of a 46-year-old male patient's foot showing a bulging muscle (centre right) due to Dupuytren's disease. The toes (not seen) are at top. Dupuytren's disease causes thickening and contraction of the aponeurosis, a type of tendon made up of strong fibrous sheets of tissue found in the hands and feet. The disease may cause Dupuytren's contraction, a bending of the finger or toe joints so that they cannot be pulled straight (flexion). The disease has no accepted cause, but is more commonly found among workers who are required to grip tools and also alcoholics. The only treatment is surgery to detach the stuck tendon from the overlying skin.