This is the worst of the PIP joint nodules. It constantly hurts. It pulls the skin so tight it almost feels like the skin will split.



I just discovered a new cord today. The webbing between the right thumb and index finger literally tripled in thickness overnight. And there is a small pit that formed. Well, today there is a cord that runs from that pit in the web down and over to the base of the thumb. It's like a U shape. I had noticed my thumb felt tighter but hadn't felt a cord until today. My entire palm on that right hand is just full of cords. Almost every finger has a significant contracture. The ring finger is what was treated with Xiaflex, but you'd never know it now.



The index finger also has a cord running up the side of it so it's being pulled sideways under my ring finger.



My dream would be that all those cords and nodules could be treated at one time with one treatment. Ha. Fantasy, is more like it. lol

~ dawn

My pinky contracture is 58 degrees. That was the measurement about four months ago. My other fingers ranged from 30-45 degrees. Now the thumb is involved. I've not even described my left hand yet. lol

Also, the data shows that Xiaflex is not effective on pinky PIP joints. That finger seems difficult to treat all the way around. The cord from my pinky goes all the way to about 1" from my wrist. It is very puckered and pronounced. The other cords are not so pronounced.

I'm thinking the only real option for that pinky to release is going to be open surgery. If so, can the nodule be totally removed? Isn't it Callie who had her pinky done years ago? Callie, thoughts on mine?

Wach, it is frustrating to have gone through the Xiaflex and end up back where you started. Ugh. I know that feeling well.

~ dawn

I would have surgery with a very experienced hand surgeon. My results were very good, but I only had one finger involved (little finger at 90 degrees). It was pulling down the ring finger with it. I have no signs of Dupuytren's where I had the surgery almost 12 years ago. But, everyone seems to have different results as we know. Just don't let it get too bad before having something done.

Edited 09/06/13 00:45

moondanc:

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wach:

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I am in a similar situation as you are. I have a fairly big nodule just below the PIP (middle) joint of my little finger and a 45 deg contracture in the PIP Joint. I first had decided for surgery but then reconsidered and had Xiaflex. Yet the cords were difficult to find, certainly not prominent and my Xiaflex injection was probably close to an off-label use. Immediately after the manipulation the contracture was reduced to about 25 deg. I was able to maintain that for about a year with the help of splinting. Today the contracture is back to 45 deg.


Wolfgang

I've got six of those nodules, two without contracture yet-- arghhh. Did you splint for the entire year? What kind of splint? I'm going to have--two custom molded splints (I'll probably never sleep again ) for night and probably some small individual dynamic joint splints.

Diane

These were taken a while back and before my pinky and other fingers were really bent. Fact is, the right hand splint needs to be remolded because it just doesn't work anymore since my finger positions have really changed. When I get in bed, I put them on and then nothing else can be done. lol. I do read in bed with my Nook and I can swipe the pages with my thumb, so that is good. But forget drinking from a glass or doing anything else that requires hands.





~ dawn