I was diagnosed with Dupuytrens on Wednesday last week, I have now noticed I have a swelling on top of my little finger on my right hand which is only really noticeable when my finger is bent, could somebody be kind enough to inform me if this is indeed a knuckle pad.

Well, well! I've just realised that I've had knuckle pads on one hand for years. Maybe 15-20! I always thought they were undeveloped warts or just rough areas where I'd done same minor damage. A bit unsightly perhaps but they never caused any pain, or problems so I ignored them.

Now I have DD in the *other* hand. It has developed in the last 1-2 years. On close examination of the DD hand maybe there's a knuckle pad too.

Interesting discovery for me to learn something new, again. The emedicine link on this site says 'Patients with Dupuytren contracture are 4 times as likely as the general population to have knuckle pads.' It would be interesting to know the statistic the other way around.

Hi Unfortunately knuckle pads are an indicator of Dupuytrens/Ledderhose and can be andicator particularly in patients of a younger age that the disease may be more aggressive. Knuckle pads generally do not cause any pain unless they crack or split. This can happen by wearing gloves when working which I alway do! I have developed pads on some joints adjacent to the hand and the centre joints . In my case it certainly was an indicator that I was to have the disease in an aggressive form.

Edited 01/29/11 15:56

I have had one knuckle pad that lasted about a year and then disappeared. Have others had knuckle pads disappear on their own?

I had surgery many years ago by a plastic hand surgeon. He removed all the knuckle pads I had at that time. He called it "dermal collagen fibrosis". He did a good job because I have not had any problems with it until last year or so.
I have several coming back and I don't know about the rest of you...but I sure don't "knock" on any doors anymore!
Interestingly, I accidentally stabbed my left index finger on the left side of what I think is called PIP joint. It stayed swollen for months. When I finally went to dr., he ordered physicial therapy. The swelling improved but comes back from time to time. My left index finger from joint up is mostly numb and/or cold. But guess what is growing on top of the joint now???? You guessed it, a whopping knuckle pad!!
Just thought it was interesting because I thought I read somewhere that trauma can be a factor....