I have read that alcohol can cause 2 liver enzymes to be out of balance. If one does drink a lot, how do you know if Dupuytren's was from drinking, or if this Disease would have occurred in time anyway? And does a non-drinker have this same unbalance cause from genetics? How bad is the liver and the start of this disease? Is it time to dump all the beer? Anybody have more information after taking a blood test or any information from a doctor? I think one of the enzymes is collegian or something sounding likes it.

I do not have an "expert" opinion; however, I do drink wine
and do have Dupuytren's. One hand surgeon I saw doubted any connection and said that he believed studies inolved populations that included alcoholics in disproportionate
numbers and that the association was tenuous at best. If
one goes to an alcohol recovery website, DC is listed as one of the consequences of alcohol usage. I believe that
the association is based on metabolic pathways of Ethanol
breaaking down to acetaldehyde which is injurious to lver function. Presumeably, circulating " irritants" simulate
repair and that triggers the D.C. response in genetically
vulnerable individuals. My personal (naive) opinion is that
covariability is likely; i.e., the same poulation that is genetically vulnerable to D.C. is also somewhat vulnerable to diabetes, alcoholism, epilepsy, etc. Persons with undiagnosed D.C. may be unreported about co-morbidity. They
think they have "arthritis" or "calluses." They are not
diagnosed and are missing from the "data pool." Meanwhile,
the V.A. and Kaiser are collecting data that relects their
case load. Take France; how many people abstain from alcohol
there? Most Frenchmen with D.C. also consumes un bon vin.
Again, this is just opinion and/or denial on my part. I am more concerned about trauma than I am about claret. Check out an AA website on deleterious effects of alcohol and make an informed, responsible decision. If it worries you,
stop drinking. If that is difficult, seek asistance.
Keep learning about new understandings and treatments on this web-site and others. We all benefit from the dialogue.

I have been told, by internist not surgeon, that certain liver problems (some liver enzyme function, I know not what) have a corelation with with Dupuytrens. This means that if you have this paticular liver problem you are more likely to have Dupuytrens, it does not mean that it causes Dupuytrens. Similar corelations exist with Diabetes, Thyroid, and seizures (epilepsy).

Alcohol can cause this paticular liver function problem, but does not have to. I have dupuytrens (bad), I was a heavy drinker, I don't have this paticular liver problem. I have also been tested for all other known corelations and they can't find them. I am one of the 70% or so in whom the problem is ideopathic (Greek for we don't have a clue).

My surgeon (and I have had very good luck with surgery, but the problem keeps occruing elsewhere in the hand, usually at the edge of a previous surgical site), is of the firm opinon that shock can trigger a rapid expansion of an existing growth. In my case I broke the 3rd and 4th metacarpals of one hand, and when he was examining the hand prior to setting the bones (which required sugery), noted nodules in the palm at the base of the ring finger. He told me, correctly, that I could expect a contracuture there in 6 to 12 months. That was Feb. he operated for Duuytrens in November.

Don't expect much after just 2 months. It takes the better part of a year for things to return to normal. Just keep doing the PT and it will be fine eventually. I've had 2 surgeries, the first was almost 8 years ago and have had no recurrence in the areas of the surgery, although I now have problems in other locations.

What is Collagenase? Where do you get it?
I made a milestone yesterday. My pinky can reach the A key. I am happy for any impovement.
Ann