An Assessment of the Effect of Intranodular Steroid Injection on Inhibiting the Progression of Early-Stage Dupuytren's Disease: A Preliminary Report

Abstract: The rationale for intranodular steroid injections in Dupuytren's disease was based on clinical and experimental studies demonstrating the inhibitory effect of steroids on connective tissue proliferation and on degradation of mature collagen in hypertrophic scars. This prompted clinicians to use steroid injections to treat Dupuytren's nodules. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of steroid injections into Dupuytren's nodules on inhibiting early-stage disease progression. Abstract: MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 patients (16 men and 12 women; mean age: of 61 y) with early-stage Dupuytren's disease in 33 hands received 2 or 3 intranodular steroid injections (methylprednisolone or betamethasone) at 2-week intervals. The patients were followed for 14 months on average (range: 12-16 mo) by a phone call. Abstract: RESULTS: A series of steroid injections resulted in pain reduction in all 17 symptomatic nodules. Softening of the nodule was observed in 22 hands (67%), softening and reduction of size in 7 hands (21%), and no changes in 4 hands (12%). No cases of disease progression and no complications were recorded. Abstract: CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional steroid injections may be an effective first-line treatment for early-stage Dupuytren's disease, particularly in symptomatic nodules.