Hi, some background info, I'm 26 male from Australia, I have had knuckle pads on all fingers accept 2 for about 5 years, never really caused pain or discomfort, over the last 12 to 18 months they have become more painful and very stiff, cannot fully make a fist. Had to go through many different doctors just to find out what they were, finally got an appointment with David Hunter-smith who is one of the specialists recommended on here that do NA treatment, he organised for me to have cortisone injections in the knuckle pads. Went well, was quite painful for days, to a week, but the lumps have definitely gone down quite a lot and have some more movement in my fingers. Now this is the problem, i had a hand physio appointment last week as the doctor recommended it may be beneficial for me. While i was there she stretched my fingers into a fist etc, and she offered acupuncture (in my forearm) I stupidly just went along with it, hoping that she knew what she was doing but since then i have felt tingling and some pain, in my palm , felt like it was stretching, I have no nodules or chords in either palm by the way, its been a week now and my right palm is very tight, and the tendons seem to be quite noticeable when I stretch my hand out straight, although there doesnt seem to be any lumps. I have been worried since I had this done as it occured to me afterwards that it could actually make things worse if it aggravates the tendons in my arm and hand, you would hope if this was the case she would know not to do it. Also just read a post on this forum that it would most likely not help at all and in fact could make the disease progress rapidly if there was any damage done. I definitely think this could be the case now and I am getting really worried, depressed. I went in to try to make things better, not to make it worse, and now if it progresses into nodules in my palm where i had no problem before it will be horrible. I dont know what to do. Nobody really seems to know anything much about this disease, especially knuckle pads, apart from David Hunter-smith and it took me 6 months to see him the first time. If it is rapidly getting worse, or nodules start to appear is there anything i can do? I read about radiation therapy on here, does anybody know where in Australia this can be done? How does anybody make an appointment in time b4 its too late as it has to be done while it is still growing, there would be a long wait to see/speak to any1 about this? I thought about just using an ice pack on my hand to help reduce any inflammation? any info/advice at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Sil, I think I understand. Until I found what seemed to be the treatment for me, I was fixated on Dups in my hand. It was in the back of my mind all the time. The crawly sensations and tightness were right there reminding me. Just keep researching on this site, read others' experiences on this Forum and move toward trying to figure out which treatment option you think is best for you. It does sound like you may have early Dups. If so, you are likely to have time to make a plan. Dups does not usually go away, so you have time.

Look in the left column of this page under Radiation therapy. There are 2 clinics listed for Australia. You might try making contact with them to find out if that is an option. Look at other options like NA for contracture and read as much as you can about others' experiences.

Come back to ask questions anytime.