I am a male 46 years old with northern European ancestry. I was recently diagnosed with DD. Strangely though, mine started with a significant nodule on my middle finger of my left hand. The nodule has the dermal pits associated with DD, and the finger adjacent to it has a knuckle pad on it. Currently I have no symptoms in my palm. Has anyone heard of this? (I was diagnosed by an orthopedic hand surgeon)

Thanks much.

dscott,

You might not have any further problems from DD. Many people do not advance past what you have described.

From the pictures you posted, it seems you are in the very early stages of DD. I would look into Radiation therapy (RT) which seems to work well for early stages. There is good information on this forum on RT and you can do a search to read what others have written.

On a personal note...

I have DD in both hands. Right hand pinkie very involved for over ten years...two Needle Aponeurotomies (NA) on same same finger, keeps coming back.... Left hand I have nodules, dimples but no cords and no contracture.... Left foot I have Ledderhose, two large nodules.

In Nov. 09 I had RT on left hand and left foot...with Dr. Tripuraneni at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, California....all the nodules shrunk and are much softer. I believe RT is an excellent choice for beggining stages of DD.

I also suggest that you consider RT.

I developed what I call aggressive DD. I had RT done on my whole right palm in July 2010. Nodules shrank, crawly feeling under my skin stopped, grip became strong again. Effective.

Almost a year later, I developed a nodule on the inside of my little finger and it looked much like the picture of yours. I also had a nodule develop on the web side of my thumb. These were outside the radiated area. Had RT again. Nodules reduced and stopped growing.

My hand/palm seems to be getting a little tighter. I am going to be up in the Bay Area anyway in February, so I'm going to Dr. Denkler for a consultation. I don't plan any other treatment at this point. Even though I could have RT again because of the low Gy used, I don't plan RT again either. If my hand begins to become a claw, I'll do RT,

I'll report back on what Dr. Denkler says. I mostly just plan to watch it though, but I'll see what we come up with in the consultation.

dscott:

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Well I now know for certain that what I have is DD. Visiting my parents out of state, I asked if they knew of any relatives with it. My dad showed me his his palms and he has significant nodules and cords on both. (both feet as well) Strange that he doesn't seem to have much disease in fingers yet.....

Anyway, he did not develop the disease until he was in his sixties, which does concern me since I'm in my mid forties. I appreciate the advice regarding RT on the forum. I will definitely be looking into it. If anyone knows of a doc in Orange County CA that performs the therapy that can be recommended, I'd appreciate the referral.

Thanks Again!