Dupuytren's Contracture

Gonzo

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Well, yesterday I had the surgery to fix my ring finger.

Dupuytren's Contracture:

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00008

Dupuytren's contracture has no cure, only a surgical fix,

I noticed mine coming on for about a year, and when my ring started to hurt my finger, I used soap and water to remove the ring and move it to the other hand.

Saw an Orthopedic Surgeon and got it done.

Guess I won't have my hands on a steering wheel or handlebar for some time.

If you notice any finger starting to curl up and you can't make it straight, better check into it.
 
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Glad you got it fixed before it got too bad. My dad had severe Dupuytren's Contracture in both hands. He had surgery on one hand when he was in his 60's but he didn't do the exercises he was supposed to and it not only came back, but got steadily worse. By the time he was in his late 70's, both hands were curled in like claws and he could only use his index fingers and thumbs. The ring finger on my left hand is a "trigger finger" (when I bend it down, it sticks in that position and I have to 'snap' it back up - doesn't hurt though) but it's not Dupuytren's; it's more arthritis-related. I have both the rheumatoid and osteo varieties. :(

Patty
 

ST Gui

240Robert
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I hope your recovery is swift and complete!

I have stenosing tenosynovitis which looks similar. It presents on my opposite hand (or maybe 'ring finger' outside of the US) fourth finger proximal interphalangeal joint.

It was apparent in both the ring and little finger but has disappeared from the latter. I haven't prevailed upon Kaiser to get it fixed as it still extends if I open my hand quickly enough. It does seem to be getting worse though.

Oddly enough mine is wholly caused by the ST. It was a direct result of air in the brakes and cranking down on the front brake lever. I thought this was an artifact of the LBS but Larry showed it for what it was.
 
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I ditched my ring a few years ago when I felt a lump developing under it on the bottom side of the finger.
I see some folks are putting them in a hole in their nose. I always stand a few feet away from one of those types in case they have to blow. Snot has got to shoot out sideways, right?
 
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My wife has it also. Not severe yet. Her specialist said that the condition is almost bestowed on Scandinavian descended men and that...be aware...it almost always returns at some point post surgery.
 
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Here is a pic of the start of it. Raised lump along tendon of ring finger . My father had it as do my older brother and sister . Looks like my turn is coming up. I am told that it may be hereditary and traceable to a region in Norway. My mother was from Tonsberg yet she did not have it - My father's roots were in Belfast - odd until you consider the Vikings sowed a lot of wild oats among the Celts.

image.jpg
 
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Update to previous post - apparently tendons are not involved- it only appears that way - "chords" are the thing and it seems they are part of a system that holds the flesh of your palm in place . Here is a better pic taken by my bride of 39 years -
( one lucky woman ! )
image.jpg
 
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I have it on both hands and I was fortunate to be able to have it treated both times with Xiaflex injections. About 1-2 years between hands. The 'chord' is injected (OWWWWW) and then the fingers are manipulated a couple days later. The manipulation causes the chord to break with a surprisingly loud pop like if you snapped a stalk of celery. I may need a second treatment on my right hand but I'm putting it off as long as possible. IIRC, I couldn't ride for about 4 weeks but I can't remember exactly. If you decide to try this procedure, make sure to find a Dr. with lots of experience. I've had 2 friends that had it done and their results weren't nearly as satisfactory as mine.
 
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I have it on both hands and I was fortunate to be able to have it treated both times with Xiaflex injections. About 1-2 years between hands. The 'chord' is injected (OWWWWW) and then the fingers are manipulated a couple days later. The manipulation causes the chord to break with a surprisingly loud pop like if you snapped a stalk of celery. I may need a second treatment on my right hand but I'm putting it off as long as possible. IIRC, I couldn't ride for about 4 weeks but I can't remember exactly. If you decide to try this procedure, make sure to find a Dr. with lots of experience. I've had 2 friends that had it done and their results weren't nearly as satisfactory as mine.
Is this the drug that was developed originally for adhesive capsulitis? ( frozen shoulder ,etc ) Some years ago I was treated by a hand surgeon for a table saw accident and we discussed Dupuytrens . He told me of an injection for the shoulder that they were beginning to try on Dupuytrens.
 
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My wife has it in both hands. She had the injection in one hand a few years ago. More injections are in her future. You do hear the "pop" when they break the chords.
 
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Is this the drug that was developed originally for adhesive capsulitis? ( frozen shoulder ,etc ) Some years ago I was treated by a hand surgeon for a table saw accident and we discussed Dupuytrens . He told me of an injection for the shoulder that they were beginning to try on Dupuytrens.
Could be but I don't know. It's fairly new as the treatment is progressing. My first time, the allowed protocol was injection in only 1 chord (I could have used two). My second treatment on the other hand just a year or two later, 2 chords were injected and snapped. My neighbor had to have the surgery and after seeing his recovery, I'm sure glad the Xiaflex worked for me. I may still have to have surgery in the future but I'll wait as long as possible to hope the treatment keeps advancing.
 
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