Dupuytrens Contracture?

Dupuytrens Contracture?

Author
Discussion

CalNaughtonJnr

Original Poster:

478 posts

161 months

Tuesday 13th June 2017
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Apparently also known as the Vikings Disease - are there any sufferers on here? how does it affect you?

I have been regularly lifting weights now for around 18 months and have recently noticed a lump in the palm of my hand which I believe to be the start of Dupuytrens (I understand that collagen builds up around the tendons which eventually causes the ring and little fingers to bend in towards the palm) - some internetting suggests that it is quite common among gym people and there seems to be a fair few on here?

The_Doc

4,886 posts

220 months

Wednesday 14th June 2017
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silversurfer1

919 posts

136 months

Wednesday 14th June 2017
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My father in law has it in both hands he is in his 70's. He has had multiple surgeries easily 10 plus, usually once every year to 18 months to release the fingers.

His hands are not in a good way in fact so bad he they removed two of his fingers as they were unusable and getting in the way.

I understand most people however have it nowhere near as bad as this, his hand surgeon says his is by far the worst case he has ever seen by quite a long way and the surgeon is no spring chicken.

Get it checked out by a pro

Good Luck

SS

paulwirral

3,133 posts

135 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
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I've got it , doctor told me hereditary and linked to manual work , both correct in my case . It ranges from mildly uncomfortable sometimes when working to very sore when I catch it on something by accident . It doesn't bother me that much and the doc did say to live with it if I could as he reckoned they could only cut it a couple of times .
That said I'm going to get it checked out by a specialist later this year , I did see a tv programme where they injected a guys hand then straightened it out after a week along with a crack and pop noise !
I do find it useful to hook my little finger under the bottom of a pint glass to stop it slipping straight through my hand when I'm drunk !

drfrank

785 posts

202 months

Saturday 17th June 2017
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Dupuytren's disease is thickening of the palmar fascia and doesn't affect the tendons of the hand. The fascia becomes thickened and contracts, gradually pulling the finger in.
It is always worth getting it checked out and surgery can be necessary. The injection is made up of an enzyme (collagenase) that degrades the collagen in the Dupuytren's cords weakening them and allowing them to be snapped - it isn't suitable for everyone.

PositronicRay

27,023 posts

183 months

Wednesday 21st June 2017
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I had the injection thingy a few yrs ago, it only 1/2 worked. Little finger on my right hand is worst, gives me a funny sort of handshake.

My dad had it as well, so could be hereditary, also linked to alcohol, definitely feels better when I'm laying off the sauce.

croyde

22,899 posts

230 months

Saturday 8th May 2021
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Thread resurrection.

Seems I have this. Lump formed in the palm of my hand when Covid started so it was low on list of seeing my NHS GP.

Second lump started soon after and I presumed a cyst but now my 3 outer fingers can't straighten, or rather I can straighten them but it's uncomfortable and I can feel the pulling.

Time to use my work private health cover so I had a video call with a GP yesterday and today have been given an appointment next week with a consultant at a nice little hospital in a leafy area with a car park that doesn't charge.

I'm impressed but it does seem there's not much they can do from what I have read.

Shame it's my right hand.

I'm hating getting old. Now have chronic tennis elbow in my left arm, this business in my right hand, a dorsal bunion and arthritic big toe in my left foot and a dodgy right knee.

Such a catch hehe

gazza285

9,811 posts

208 months

Saturday 8th May 2021
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I have it. It is a mild annoyance at present, but it is shortening my hand span, especially in my left hand, which is worrying as I play guitar.

At some point in the future I will stump up for the injection, as far as I am aware this is not available on the NHS. The other option is to wait until my fingers get to the NHS approved angle of severity, then have the operation. Neither of these is a permanent fix, and the operation generally leads to a loss of feeling and dexterity.

I’m hoping the guitar market is buoyant in a few years.

NorthDave

2,366 posts

232 months

Sunday 9th May 2021
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My Mum has had this and has had a couple of operations but it seems to just come back. There isn't much information I can find on the net for the Xiaflex injections. It would be great if people could update the thread if they go down that route as it seems very straightforward compared to the surgery.

Regbuser

3,496 posts

35 months

Sunday 9th May 2021
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Hi, have this on both hands, left much worse

Left hand operated on in 2019 at Derby





Right hand benign at present,but cords thickening gradually.

The surgery can be performed without general anaesthetic, they froze my arm, was in and out in the day.

Previously a skin graft was recommended, but Derby's approach is to leave the open wound and let the holes reskin themselves



https://pulvertafthandcentre.org.uk/ were running a study with a university. This means they have several treatment centre geographical options.
After initial resistance from my GP, once these people said they would fund treatment, barriers were dropped. Took 15 months from initial consultation in Derby to surgery.

Well worth it

Edited by Regbuser on Sunday 9th May 10:14

croyde

22,899 posts

230 months

Sunday 9th May 2021
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Thanks.

I had a similar wound open reskin due to removal of a basal cell on my scalp. Can't even see a scar now.

I am seeing a consultant on Friday, one week after medical GP. Thanks to work health insurance. I'll mention this.

Cheers again. Hope it's going well.

paulwirral

3,133 posts

135 months

Monday 10th May 2021
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I never got round to seeing the specialist, took a project on and really didn’t need to be stuck with an open wound and not able to use my hand then I left it and then COVID happened . Mines worse now but I’m only just starting to find it gets in the way now , and unfortunately I’ve now got another long term project on the go .
I manage to work around it ok but a friend of a friend that I’ve met had his operated on twice and it still contracted so he’s ended up getting the offending little finger removed !!! They took it off below the knuckle and shaped his hand to suit and he reckons he doesn’t miss it , apparently you’d never notice unless your actually counting fingers on strangers hands !
Just remember, according to Bart Simpson , chicks dig scars !

Regbuser

3,496 posts

35 months

Tuesday 11th May 2021
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paulwirral said:
I do find it useful to hook my little finger under the bottom of a pint glass to stop it slipping straight through my hand when I'm drunk !
Ditto!

Although my work isn't hands on, I do a lot of driving, and the hospital chafed me not to think of driving whilst it was still bandaged, or else my insurance would be invalid.