Yes there is pain with this disease. I experience exactly what you said you have described. Once the DC becomes active and node increase in size. This is a disease for me that is very active now. Hurting a lot. I have my right wrist in a cast due to tendon in my wrist, & DC IN HAND. I have no grip on 4 & 5 finger ON RIGHT hand. Had surgery, NA finally Xiaflex finally opened my fingers. They are weak. And they are permanently damaged . Every nite I wear a splint, my hand is twisting to the right & cannot position hand flat on table.
However, I am happy with the results from Xiaflex in my case. Opened fingers and can wear gloves do things much easier as when fingers are contracted they get caught on door handles refrigerators opening anything etc.
Also have DC in my left hand and feet. One day at a time. I take over the counter meds for the pain & try not to agrevate the nodes. Wearing gloves with padding, finger protectors night splints and good shoes inserts and arch supports I like a couple online shoe inserts that help a lot.
Also use home ultra sound treatment on nodes on hands & feet which helps with the pain & softens them as well as massaging nodes lightly.