Virchows Arch A Pathol Anat Histol. 1976 Nov 22;372(1):57-74.

[Aetiology of dupuytren's contracture (author's transl)]

[Article in German]

Nemetschek T, Meinel A, Nematschek-Gansler H, Reill P, Riedl H.

Regarding experimental data on the multi-factorial reduction of the thermostability of collagen, the following sequence of the mechanism of Dupuytren's contracture is discussed: 1. Hereditary or acquired weakness of fibres of the palmar fascia 2. Further disturbance of the physical property of collagen by the cumulative effects of mechanical, i.e. traumatic, influence. 3. By this means an induced stepwise shrinkage of released fascial fibres in body temperature. 4. Stabilisation of the shortening (contracture) by development of collagen. This hypothesis is supported by histological, polarizing-microscopic, electron-microscopic and chemical results.

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