Therapies for Dupuytren's contracture and Ledderhose disease with possibly less benefit

Shock waves

Shock waves, similar to the ones that are used to destroy renal stones, but with about 1/10 of the energy, are occasionally used to treat IPP (Peyronie's), Dupuytren's contracture, and Ledderhose disease. While they seem to work for IPP, and there is some anecdotal evidence of a satisfying result for Ledderhose, we have seen no scientific proof of generally good results for treating Morbus Ledderhose or Dupuytrens. The only English literature that we found (J. Haist "Extracorporal Shock Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Dupuytren's and Ledderhose's Contraction" Abstracts of the 2nd International Congress of the European Society for Musculoskeletal Shock Wave Therapy (ESMST), 27.-29.05.1999, London, Great Britain, p 55, abstract-link) states: "As conclusion of our results we can not advice the shock wave therapy in the therapy in the Dupuytren's or Ledderhose's contracture".

Transdermal Verapamil

This topical treatment ("topical verapamil") claims to remodel damaged tissue into healthy tissue. The gel needs to be applied for a long period of time (6 - 12 months?), is very expensive, and often not covered by insurance. There is very little evidence and to our knowledge no scientific proof that it helps against Dupuytren's contracture or Ledderhose disease. Anecdotal evidence in forums is more along a recent comment from a patient: "Verapamil is completely ineffective. The only thing it will reduce is your bank balance". Note that this statement referred to treating Ledderhose, not to e.g. treating scar tissue which might possibly work.

Vitamin E

High doses of Vitamin E have been proposed to treat Dupuytren's contracture. Again, we do not know of any statistical proof of its effectiveness to cure Dupuytren's disease. In the contrary, already more than 50 years ago a study rendered Vitamin E useless (RA King "Vitamin E therapy in Dupuytren's contracture; examination of the claim that vitamin therapy is successful." full_text). We are also very reluctant with regard to regular Vitamin supplements, specifically in high doses. There is some indication that high doses of antioxidants might even increase mortality: "Beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E, singly or combined, significantly increased mortality" JAMA_antioxidants. See also emedicine_vitamine_E.

Homeopathic therapies

Though some of us had positive results with homeopathic therapies of other diseases, so far our own results with homeopathic therapy of Dupuytren's have been, at best, marginal. Nevertheless, successful therapies might exist, and feedback is welcome! Actually one patient from Germany recently reported significant improvement after a homeopathic therapy of Dupuytren nodules. Unfortunately homeopathic treatments are customized for each patient and may or may not work for the next one.

Page last modified: 09/28/2008