Viking hand is a condition affecting the hands and fingers, leaving the patients unable to straighten their fingers. Viking diseaseof hands begins with developing a lump on the hand's surface at the base of the fingers. The condition starts to worsen with time, and as it progresses, it causes fingers to bend inwards. Why is it called Viking disease? Viking disease gets its name from Vikings known to suffer from the condition in their region. It is believed that they were the reason the infection spread throughout Europe. The Vikings are credited with spreading the infection into Northern Europe and then into the British Isles. Viking disease is also known by several names, including Celtic hand and Dupuytren's Contracture. What causes Viking disease? The reason behind the Viking disease is not known yet, but it is a hereditary condition and passed on through genetics. People from Northern Europe, Scandinavi...