Glossary

Collagen [KOL uh jehn]: a protein that is normally part of many tissues in the body, like skin and fascia

Dermofasciectomy [DUR mo fass ee EHK tuh mee]: surgical procedure that involves removing both the diseased fascia and the overlying skin

Ectopic disease [ehk TAH pik  dih ZEEZ]: disease features that appear in a place other than their usual location

Fascia [FAH shuh]: sheet of fibrous tissue that lies beneath the skin

Fasciectomy [fass ee EHK tuh mee]: surgical procedure in which diseased tissue is removed through incisions in the palm and affected finger(s)

Fasciotomy [fass ee AH tuh mee]: surgical procedure that involves cutting through fascia and cords

Garrod’s pads [GARE uhds  pads]: enlargement of the knuckles associated with Dupuytren’s disease; also called knuckle pads

Ledderhose disease [LED ur hose  dih ZEEZ]: disease involving abnormalities of the fascia on the underside of the foot, resulting in nodule formation; also called plantar fibromatosis

MP joint: joint at the base of the finger; also called the metacarpal [met uh KAHR puhl] phalangeal [fuh LAN gee uhl] joint

Needle aponeurotomy [ap uh NUR ah tuh mee]: surgical procedure in which the surgeon uses a small needle-like blade to weaken a Dupuytren’s cord; also called needle fasciotomy [fass ee AH tuh mee]

Nodule [NAH dyool]: a small knot or lump

Palmar fascia [PAWL mer  FAH shuh]: fibrous tissue that lies under the skin of the palm

Peyronie’s disease [pah ROW neez  dih ZEEZ]: disease in which abnormal fibrous tissue causes bending of the penis; often associated with Dupuytren’s disease

Pitting [PIT eeng]: dimple or indention on the surface of the palm

Pretendinous bands [pree TEN din us  bands]: extensions of the palmar fascia that extend to the fingers

PIP joint: first finger joint beyond the base of the finger; also called the proximal [PROK suh muhl] interphalangeal [in TUR fuh LAN gee uhl] joint

Recurrence [ree KUR uhns]: reappearance of diseased tissue in an area that has previously been treated; recurrence includes reappearance of nodules