Tightness across the palm is also a Dupuytren's symptom. Could be other things as well.

Jo, your post is quite old, so I hope you read this. I too have been diagnosed with Dupuytren's disease. It followed CTS in my right hand. I have been trying to do research and have learned that surgery should be my last resort as the condition usually returns again and again making surgery necessary again and again. I have also learned that in a lot of cases, it is associated with ovarian cancer. I had primary peritoneal cancer and have been in remission for 2.3 years. The condition usually precedes the cancer, but not always. I am going to get a splint and wear at night because I have been wrapping my hand with an Ace bandage and that is helping. Also soaking my hand in warm water and stretching the fingers, massaging the palm is helpful. I'm going to do what I can to relieve the symtoms and pain up and until the time that I can no longer straighten my little finger, then I will have surgery. My dad had this for about 15 years before he died and never had surgery. It can also be heritiary. Good luck and post if you get this. Lou
Wearing a night splint is a good idea, gentle stretching and massaging is probably OK too... if your little finger is starting to contract, have you considered consulting with a doctor about doing RT, if that is still an option?...if not...NA would be my first choice of treatment for a contracted little finger rather than surgery....but don't wait too long...the earlier you do something before you have a "major" contracture of the little finger (especially if its at the PIP joint)...the better.

Edited 08/26/10 18:58