My perspective of the image referred to by Wolfgang is that I wouldn't assume that the "lump" is associated with the skin.

My knuckle pads are actually large hard structures underneath the skin. When my fingers are straight the lumps are much less obvious and look a bit like the image (except the lumps are more apparent).

As I have mentioned on another thread I have had pads (and Ledderhose) since my teenage years, but not DD (until last year). I'm now 58. So my experience is one where appearance of knuckle pads does not necessarily mean that DD is imminent.

I do not experience any "cracking" - just inability to form a fist, so there may be something else at play. Whilst my knuckles have been annoying, I'm quite sure I would rather have pads than arthritis (and the size has now considerably diminished)!

Hi Claire,

I would expect there are ways of confirming that yours are pads, but I would have reasonable confidence that the surgeon would know. It seems that everyone has their own individual experience, but it is useful to be aware of the path that others have traveled. I looked again at your photos, and it looks, to my eye, as if it could be pads. In my experience there was nothing gained from surgery on pads (I had one operated on when about 14 or 15, but it just made it worse).

If you do develop DD (or perhaps before) I suggest you have a look at radiation therapy as a possible treatment. There are a number of people who have reported aspects of RT on this web site. I have had RT at the start of the year. The lesson that I have learned from this is that RT is best done early in the development of DD. So if you do develop DD, and do decide RT is appropriate, don't wait!

Good luck, Chris.

Claire,

I live in Australia, so I can't help you with the UK system. I have seen a number of other UK people write about RT treatment, so searching through old posting may help answer your question. Alternatively, somebody else may be kind enough to respond to the question.

Chris.

Thanks Mel

How frustrating, especially when you were so close to getting the radiothreapy!

I have seen a post from an English person who paid to be treated in Germany. I don't know how he managed it - he said it was under 500E all in.

I am still trawling through the research and am still keen, although I did see this today which was a bit worrying...

" Radiotherapy has been used to prevent disease progression in the early
stages of Dupuytren's contracture. However, both acute toxicity and chronic
side effects were observed, such as redness or dryness of the skin,
extensive erythema, moist desquamation, swelling, and an alteration in heat
and pain sensation. Among hand surgeons, prophylactic radiotherapy is not
supported; surgery performed after radiotherapy is unduly
complicated."

I guess that's why the regular doctors don't want to go ther. Those sufferers on this forum who have had RT don't seem to have suffered with these things though.

Good luck and don't give up!

Claire

Thankyou Wolfgang. That's really helpful. I will definitely check this out and let you know how I get on.
C