Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a benign and progressive condition that affects the palmar aponeurosis with a very high global incidence. It can result in significant loss of hand function or can inhibit an individual's daily activities or work. The diagnostic tool that is currently used the most is the clinical evaluation of a hand surgeon, and also the use of a goniometer which measures the total Range of Motion (ROM) a patient still has in his finger, where the decision for treatment is primarily based on patient preferences with little scientific research supporting different options in different cases. Due to a lack of patient satisfaction and high recurrence rates among those who underwent surgery there is a clear need for more knowledge surrounding DD to better understand this disease. This will lead to new possibilities in the field of research and the potential for new treatments.

With technological advancements new options arise to the possible diagnostic tools we can use for evidence based medicine and shared decision making. One option comes to light for DD because of its cheap, non -invasive and no radiation load, namely ultrasound (US). The use of US for DD is not standard care, due to the lack of research surrounding this tool. This study will provide some insight into the use of US for DD and will primarily try to evaluate different parameters measurable with US that can be used as potential prognostic biomarkers. Three different characteristics will be measured: echogenicity, skin involvement, the presence of microvascular structures. In summary, the mentioned parameters could possibly prove to be useful in the assessment of DD patients and could make US a standard in determining disease progression and could make the consideration between different treatment options more evidence based.