Hello all. I have discovered what I believe to likely be another Dupuytren's nodule though I have yet to visit a specialist to confirm, so as of now it is merely suspicion on my part. A quick background:

I visited a hand specialist when I was 26 for a lump in the webbing of my right palm roughly between the index finger and thumb that was causing me pain. The doctor suspected a ganglion cyst and surgery was performed for removal. Turns out it was Dupuytren's, which has a strong presence on my father's side of the family (both he and my grandfather had it, along with a few of his siblings). Anyhow, I've noticed since the surgery that both of my hands get sore relatively easily from any kind of weight strain (shoveling, etc) and activities that merely require a substantial deal of pinching or gripping (a video game controller, writing, etc). I attributed the soreness in my right hand to scar tissue initially but I was rather puzzled as to why it seemed to become equally present in the webbing of my left hand. Either way, it was of minimal inconvenience so I stored it away under things to keep an eye on.

Well fast forward several years and I began getting peculiar soreness in my left hand that lingered for days and had no discernible causes that I could identify. A little over a week ago, while combating one of these random fits of soreness, I noticed what appeared to be a lump on the outside of my lower left thumb, on the edge of the palm right near the bone nearest to the wrist. It seems a peculiar location for a Dupuytren's nodule but the location of the first nodule and my age at the time surprised my doctor the first go around as well.

So my question is, assuming it is Dupuytren's, what steps are advisable? Surgery was the course the first go around because 1) the lump was causing pain when it had pressure applied; 2) we didn't know it was Dupuytren's at the time.

I'm a bit disconcerted that I might be having a second Dupuytren's occurrence and on the opposite hand at only 30. I assume I likely have a rather aggressive case given what I've read so I'd really like an idea of what methods I should take in combating what may be a lifetime struggle with this ahead. Surgery doesn't seem like a viable long term option at this point. So basically, is there a method for dealing with just nodules in an early stage or is it advisable to simply wait and monitor until it appears to cause functional symptoms or pain?

Also, my first hand specialist did not seem particularly well versed in Dupuytren's treatments. Should I seek a doctor with particular familiarity in the disease? I am not sure how many doctors out there specialize in this area so I am unaware of how geographically dispersed they may be. I am located in Louisiana for what it's worth.

Thanks for any insight you may be able to offer.

Michael

Hello again and thanks for the reply.

No indications on my feet. And from recollection, when I came back to consciousness post surgery the doctor suggested that he believed it was Dupuytren's but would confirm after sending it in for pathology, which apparently confirmed.

Basically I'm just looking for a general course of action. From what you have said, it sounds like there isn't much that can be done prevention wise at the nodule stage but to monitor and hope that it doesn't advance to cords and contracture, is that correct? Basically I'm just looking to get educated on what my options are and what my concerns should be. Should I visit a specialist as a result of this nodule for consultation or is that probably unnecessary? I was thinking perhaps there may be some benefit to identifying and treating a nodule in an early stage but if not a doctor's visit won't be of much value other than possible confirmation of diagnosis. I suppose it could be something other than Dupuytren's but I'd fancy that quite the coincidence.

Michael71186:

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Hello again and thanks for the reply.

No indications on my feet. And from recollection, when I came back to consciousness post surgery the doctor suggested that he believed it was Dupuytren's but would confirm after sending it in for pathology, which apparently confirmed.

Basically I'm just looking for a general course of action. From what you have said, it sounds like there isn't much that can be done prevention wise at the nodule stage but to monitor and hope that it doesn't advance to cords and contracture, is that correct? Basically I'm just looking to get educated on what my options are and what my concerns should be. Should I visit a specialist as a result of this nodule for consultation or is that probably unnecessary? I was thinking perhaps there may be some benefit to identifying and treating a nodule in an early stage but if not a doctor's visit won't be of much value other than possible confirmation of diagnosis. I suppose it could be something other than Dupuytren's but I'd fancy that quite the coincidence.