About 6 years ago, I was getting a pedicure, and the woman massaging my feet pointed to a hard lump, which a podiatrist diagnosed as a fibroma. It grew a bit over time, and I developed a couple more. I am a medical writer and came to realize I probably had Lederhose disease. I never saw a need to seek a diagnosis because it did not interfere with walking or cause extreme pain (just tenderness) and I had already been told a fibroma would likely return if I had it removed. One nodule disappeared on its own and another shrank after I started wearing orthotics, although the area gets tender with long walks, and I get severe leg cramps after wearing heels.

A few years ago, a few knuckles became swollen and extremely tender; I was convinced I had arthritis because a great-grandmother developed severe arthritis around the same age (late 30s) and was said to have had gnarled, claw-like hands (Dupuytren's?). My father also said he was getting arthritis when he was in his early 50s, but passed away before I saw his hands or he had much progression. The two rheumatologists I consulted about my knuckles said I did not have arthritis, but neither offered a diagnosis.

I was then diagnosed with diabetes (apparently common with Dupuytren's); shortly after, the pain/redness in my knuckles lessened, so I assumed it had been diabetes-related inflammation. My knuckles still had bony lumps on them. Other knuckles subsequently became affected, and now all my fingers are somewhat stiff. The newer pads hurt when I bend or bump my fingers. I tend to have trouble gripping things and find is painful to stir a pot or grate cheese.

A few months ago, I noticed a tender pea-sized lump on the palm side of my right middle finger; my doctor assured me it was not a ganglion cyst and said to ignore it unless it grew or the pain worsened. The pain disappeared as the lump hardened, so I stopped worrying about it.

I found my way here after results of a 23andMe genetic test indicated I had a greatly increased risk of Dupuytren's, which I knew was associated with Lederhose. I never considered I might have Dupuytren's because I had no palm lumps or contractures. After reading more, I now realize I likely have Garrod's nodes, a nodule on the palm side of my middle finger, and thickening cords. I can slightly see and feel cords in both hands, although more so in the left hand, which has also been feeling very achy lately. I can also feel lumps beneath the skin, but they are not visible.

My boyfriend and my kids think I am odd because I keep asking to feel their hands to see if the lumps I feel in mine are normal. (I don't feel them in theirs.)

After reading more about the disease and its treatments on the forum, I made an appointment at a hand clinic for Thursday and contacted a radiologist who treats early-stage Dupuytren's. He said he might be willing to treat me once I have a diagnosis and he evaluates my hands.

I took several pictures of my lumpy appendages and wondered if there is a place where people share their images; I have had trouble finding good pictures of Garrod's pads and would be interested in seeing some for comparison in case mine are just diabetes-related gout or something. I also wondered whether anyone has ever had trouble getting their Dupuytren's diagnosed prior to having contractures.

Thanks, and I apologize for the long first post!

Hello
I am so sorry you are now apart of the Dup family. For me it has become an emotional roller coaster.

Thanks everyone, for your responses. I wanted to clarify that the 23andMe test did not identify me as having Dupuytren's. It just said that I had a couple of mutations that have been associated with a greatly increased risk of Dupuytren's, which made me take a closer look at Dupuytren's

It sounds like many people here have gone through a lot, and I am worried about what the future holds. I depend on my hands to work, and I do not know what would happen if I were unable to type. I have already had to limit some of the activities I used to enjoy doing, like crocheting and cooking, because it makes my hands hurt. If one has surgery to correct a contracture, does that relieve the achiness people have in their hands? I am also worried it might affect driving. Jeff, I would really look into radiotherapy. I read some of the published literature, and it seems like it has a pretty good risk/reward profile if you have early stage disease. I put the photos of my hands and feet on Flickr because I can't figure out yet how to put them in the post. (Probably easier for people to see, too.)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/101552940@N03/

Sorry the quality is not as good as I would like. It's hard to photograph your own feet/hands! I'd be very interested in knowing whether my bumps/lumps look consistent with Dupuytren's in other peoples' experience.

Clm

JeffM:

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Thanks for the pictures. Your knuckle pads look almost identical to mine. The nodules and cords in your palms also appear to be very similar. I am also very worried about losing the full use of my hands, as I play guitar and it would be a great loss to me to lose that ability. It also seems from my research that this could progress very slowly or not at all. I am making sure to keep a close watch on the progress of the condition and will pursue radiation therapy if it progresses any further. I am not comfortable waiting until the contracture starts.

Jeff