Hello
I first noticed Dupuytren's Contracture in my right hand little finger when I was 23. By the age of 25 it had progressed to a stage where I needed surgery (the bend in my little finger was > 90 degrees). Initially, the surgery was really good at correcting the problem and took about a month of fairly painful recovery. About 3 months after the surgery the disease was noticibly progressing again - by little finger had once again started to bend.

I am now 28 and the Dupuytren's Contracture had started progressing into my ring and middle finger. My little finger is now painful and really deformed. My view is that the surgery on my hand probably sped up the progression of the disease. Mostly because the scar tissue from the surgery seems to have caused an increased thickening of the fascia tissue.

Having said that, I am again going to see the surgeon next week to discuss further surgery. This is only because of the state of my little finger at the moment. I have not much confidence of a positive outcome but I don't see I have much of a choice.

The disease seems to be progressing quickly now and I am getting really concerned about the function of all the fingers on my right hand. Although at this stage my index finger has been spared.

Is there anyone else who is my age or in a similar position to me? Do I have any options exept surgery? I am thinking of getting skin grafts this time round - has anybody got feedback on that technique?

Chris

Chris,

Once the disease has progressed in a part of the hand to where there is a contracture or nodule, that area can only be "treated" with surgery, whether open or NA or in the future with enzyme injections.

Although you may have an area that has progressed to this stage, other parts of your hands or feet may be at an earlier stage and it may be possible to halt the progression of the disease in these areas with radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy is the only treatment that has any clinical track record for stopping the progression of the disease that I have found. An NAC dietary supplement may also help and is worth considering.

Bruce