Hi, Folks!

Well, here I am again, after my March 2001 posting! My right Dupy hand was operated in April, and the hand is straight, yet the pinkie is another matter. I can now write ledgiably again, for sure!

I'm a 39 year old female with the 61 year old mom with the same disease, but her's is a pit and a 5 degree contracture. Further inquires told me that my maternal grandfather had a pit and lump, and that's it.

With all my other surgeries, I'm experienced about recovery. Pay attention to the hand surgeons! Physical therapy can save your hand from contracting again, especially with ultrasound therapy. Keep doing the exercises prescribed by your therapist.

Splinting the hand is a must. If the splint hurts your hand, contact your doctor ASAP -- you are damaging your hand, and your (and your hand surgeon's) work. Your therapist can get you another splint that will work for your needs.

Hey, I'm 39, and tend to not go back to any hand surgeons until they are 20 years younger than I am!

Take care, folks.

Annette

I am so glad that I found some other women with this problem to interact with. I have an extremely aggresive case of Dupuytren's. I got the first nodule in the arch of my left foot when I was 10. Had that removed at 22 and the doctor just casually mentioned that it was Dupuytren's. I had no problems for several years. However, my only brother had it in both hands and both feet for years,until he passed away at the age of 51. When I was 44 I noticed some painful nodules on some of my knuckles and thought it was arthritis. Then the knot appeared in my right palm. So - I had surgery to remove the knot in my right palm, and also one from my right index finger in 1998. Then I had surgery to remove the nodules from my index, middle and ring finger in my left hand in 1999. My finger joints were locking because of the nodules. Well I now have a knot and pit in my right hand which is also contracting my ring finger, a large nodule in my right pinky that is locking it and one on the right middle finger. I have surgery scheduled on June 29. I also have a large knot in my left palm, a nodule in my left pinky, and one located between my thumb and index finger. Just to make life interesting, the old knot is back in the arch of my left foot.
Does anyone have any information on herbs or supplements to try. I keep thinking that there must be something that my body needs to prevent or slow down the progression. If not, why did I go so long between surgery at 22 and then the rapid progression starting at 44? I read the prior postings and would really be interested in hearing how the person on the cholesterol lowering medication does. If this has slowed the progression down for your Mother, maybe is will work for you. Please let me know. Thanks.

What is the connection? I have severe and unremitting DC. Both of my hands are affected, all of my fingers and both feet. I am completly disabeled. Any suggestions?

Dorothy,
Surgery before bending of fingers is completely in contradiction with everything I ever heard/read on Dupuytren. I am not medically trained, but I wonder, is that doctor ?????

Jim,
You point out the real question that I haven't heard a satisfactory answer. Is it the diseased tissue that spreads more diseased tissue or will DC spread whether or not the tissue is removed. If it is necessary to remove all of the diseased tissue, then why would NA be effective? Or does it slow down if there is an absence of tissue from surgery to become diseased?
Gary