Thanks Lori, I'll talk to my GP about RT, your experience sounds very encouraging - the best news in the last 24 hours, to be sure. I have spend more time researching DC and it sure is a puzzle. I remember my grandmother's hands (good Irish stock) and they were a mess later in her life (in 70's and 80's) - very deformed, but arthritis seemed to be the main problem. Didn't seem to slow her down, however. My mother also suffered from arthritis and other joint and tendon problems in her hands and waists - but I can't discuss with her either. I am going to follow up with my GP, it is the best way to get the health care system working for you in Canada. I don't really want to wait until I am become a surgery candidate.


Thanks again, Murray

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Murray,

No problem about the questions. I can't say for sure if any activity brought it on. I used to play several musical instruments (bands in my 20's & 30's), I have and continue to work on houses and do a lot of physical labor. I play golf and tennis. I believe the combination has brought it on early. When I was diagnoised and did research into my family, I discovered my aunt and grandmother had it, but developed it into their late 70's early 80's (they believed it was arthritis). So who knows?

I finished my RT in August of this year. If you go and look under "pictures of my hand from MRI to now" you can see pictures of my hand from beginning to after radiation. My hand has improved since that last picture and if I were to take a picture now you would not see anything at all. It is amazing. The only side effect that I have is a little dry skin. I have regained most of my hand flexability back. I still have a hard time gripping something, unscrewing lids, grasping heavy objects that touch where the cord is, I will get a little twinge that reminds me all is not like it used to be. I am pleased with the progress my hand has made. It has improved much more than I expected. My only expectation was to stop the growth, but not only did it stop the growth but it dramatically improved my hand.

Lori

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Linda,

Mine moved quickly. I had a sore spot in my palm for about 2 months, then a knot in January and by the time I got into see the hand specialist (4-6 weeks later) I had a cord, puckering, pulling and dimpling. My GP did not know what it was and I was having pain in my arm, shoulder, and my hand so bad that it would keep me up at nght. It was the pain that sent me to the doctor, I figured I had a callus in my palm. A heated mattress pad helps a lot. My hand ached with the cold so I worer a fingerless glove and that helped keep it warm. After RT my hand does not ache but it does feel the cold so I continue to wear that glove.

If you have any questions please ask.

Lori

Australia Calling,Hi Linda-Your hand surgeon has opened a pandora's box of might-bees for you! Firstly you can carry out some simple tests yourself to identify Carpal tunnel.(check on the web) You would know if you have trigger finger when you make a fist and try to open the fist the trigger finger will remain closed and suddenly release.An upper limb and hand surgeon informed me that patients with dupuytrens were at risk of trigger finger. Mine occurred after surgery but after my radiotherapy a couple of years ago it disappeared. You did mention cords ,nodules in the previous posting and also that you have Morbus Ledderhose.Any knuckle pads on the back of the hand? Do you have any relatives that have dups? Maybe a second opinion is not a bad idea and start with the simple ultra sound. We all remember calluses from writing in the school years. Finally it makes no difference if you are left or right handed for dupuytren. In my case it developed on one hand and did appear on the other until I had surgery .

Edited 12/23/09 07:23

Australia Calling. The diagnoses of having Ledderhose and knuckle pads is a strong indicator of dupuytrens especially when you mention the factor of your little finger deforming or contracting. I would not waste time get a second opinion from a Hand Surgeon/Plastic Surgeon. From your description you have a indicator to Trigger finger.(Easily Corrected) I was always advised not to wait too long with the contraction especially if it is occurring in the joints.Contraction can occur in the web between the fingers. Regards.

Edited 12/23/09 13:44