Troublesome ganglions or cysts originating from a joint often recur if the activity causing them continues, even after a surgical repair. I also had this problem, but related to sport and piano. Since you write by typing I don't know what to suggest. Can you investigate dictation software, or is it still cumbersome as it was a few years ago? Or alternatively wear some sort of finger support when typing. Maybe even a different 'keyboard', could be flat screen on a tablet or Dvorak, or ...? Just throwing ideas out. Best wishes.

Hello, all. A somewhat frustrating update:

I had my appointment with the new doctor yesterday. It was the most thorough examination I've had in the 7 years since I was diagnosed. Definitely Dupuytren's (not a ganglion cyst), and he also felt "pre-cords" in both palms.

However, I was shocked when he said I needed to stick with my original doctor even though I don't want to go back to him. I can't believe I'd never been familiar with this "code of ethics" doctors have of not poaching patients. But what the heck is the point of a second opinion then?

Anyway, the original doctor ordered an MRI just to double check the recurring knuckle pad. Have any of you had MRIs for this?

I hear you, cschieber, thank you for the reply.

I don't want to go to that doctor, but the other one won't see me again unless I do, because he says he can't argue with his medical opinion.

I'm going for the MRI today.

Incidentally, has anyone tried any kind of compression therapy for knuckle pads? I woke up this morning realizing I'd slept with my hand under the pillow and the pad looked much flatter. So it gave me the idea of perhaps experimenting with wearing a bandage around the pad while I sleep. But I don't want to play doctor and make it worse!

I know you're all probably sick of my updates -- as I now seem to be replying to myself.

But for the record: I went to doctor #1 today, and the first thing he told me when he walked in was, "So, how did it go with 'doctor #2'?"

I thought that was unnecessary.

Anyway, he keeps offering me little guidance on the knuckle pad:

1) do nothing
2) remove it again
3) inject cortisone

So I chose 3, even though this didn't work in the past.

The pad now appears slightly smaller, but the joint is still stiff. He told me to come back in two weeks.

$60 a pop in co-pay per visit.

Incidentally, I was initially diagnosed in the UK and never given injections. I went to see a radiation specialist there who refused to perform RT given my age at the time (33). I am now 38, and the radiation specialist I saw two years ago in NY also did not want to do it given that I would still like to have children.

Doctor #1 says it's rare for a knuckle pad to grow back so aggressively like this, but reading up on posts on here from the past, that doesn't seem to be the case.

Glad to hear the cortisone helped your knuckle pad. Maybe I'll give it a try. And thanks for the updates. It really helps to see what happens weeks, months and even years after treatment.