I'm a 57 yr. old female that was just diagnosed with Dupuytren. I lived with lumps in my right hand after being told it was from over use but when the lumps jumped to my left hand, I went back to the doctor. One morning I could get my wedding ring on but two hours later, I couldn't remove it. I finally got it off but the lump on my ring finger now prevents me from wearing it.

After an MRI, my family doctor said it was fine. I said, how could it be fine if there are lumps, pain, etc. He sent me to a Rheumatologist who said there was nothing they could do for the Dupuytren. I went to a bone specialist who said the same thing. He said to stretch my hands.

I have lost mobility in the right hand, both hands hurt, I have lumps and indentations, and my right hand will "spasm" with the finger curling up. Wow, that hurts.

I've searched on line to see if there's anything that works. Even if I found something that a doctor does, it's hard to find a doctor in the Dallas area. I don't want to become crippled. Is there anything I can do? Is there a relation with this disease and autoimmune disorders? Thanks.

nan,

Your problem doesn't sound completely like Dupuytren's. You said, "my right hand will "spasm" with the finger curling up". That is not typical of Dupuytren's in which contracture can take months/years. Als, generally there is very little pain involved with Dupuytren's.

Thank you for your input. I saw four doctors and all gave the same diagnosis. The pain comes from the tightness in my palm. A couple doctors thought Dupuytren was going on along with something else. A hand surgery specialist isn't one I saw. The orthopedic sergeon came the closest. I looked at photos on line and saw my right hand. The orthopedic sergeon was the final doctor I saw and he said he could do surgery but it's very painful and that I should stretch my hand to keep it from freezing up more. He suggested Physical Therapy. Thanks for your help.

Nan - I've been seeing hand specialists, rheumatologists, and ortho docs in the Dallas area for about 4 years now. If you like, you can email me at "b.scott.williams (at) tx.rr.com". My experiences may be very helpful.

Others of you may interested in a comment that came from my cousin who is a reconstructive surgeon in New Mexico. I've recently been in contact with him regarding my symptoms. He wrote that his clinic sees more cases of Dupuytren's than all other types of fibromatosis combined! I knew Dups was fairly common but this comment surprised me. With this rate of occurrence, all hand specialists, rheumatologists, and ortho docs are quite familiar with the disease. They may not be experts in the treatment but they should certainly be familiar with the symptoms!

Yes, of course....

I've learned that all doctors focus their practices and their research efforts on the conditions/diseases in which they have a particular interest. When a patient does not fit the preferred profile and is deemed relatively difficult to treat (as many Dups patients are), he/she gets passed along to the next physician. This forum is excellent for assisting people in getting to the doctors who do happen to have an interest in Dups more quickly saving folks time and money.

The internet often is more dangerous and destructive than people tend to believe but it's certainly wonderful for this type of communication!