Topics

Intro
Cigarette Smoke
Nicotine
Carbon Monoxide
Other Substances
Smoke and Bone
Bone Healing
Wound Healing
Osteonecrosis
Lower Back Pain
Arthritis
Dupuytrens
RSD (CRPS)
Summary
Bibliography

Dupuytrens Contracture

The relationship of Dupuytren's Contracture to cigarette smoking has been recognized in the past.36 Other associations include epilepsy, alcoholism, chronic lung disease, trauma,49 and diabetes mellitus.27 Smoking results in changes in connective tissue of the hand which ultimately leads to joint stiffness, and contracture of the palmar fascia.28

The biological reason for the proliferation of fibrous tissue which occurs in Dupuytren's Contracture is unknown. With smoking, a significant decrease in blood flow to the hand has been identified.89 90 91 107 111 Following years of smoking, microvascular occlusion is also believed to occur resulting in fibroblastic proliferation and contracture.5