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Dupuytren Gym ?
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06/12/2017 02:34
Sparty 
06/12/2017 02:34
Sparty 

Re: Dupuytren Gym ?

Hi Shaen,

At 39, You are somewhat younger for onset of DD than the average. That being said, the progression of DD for people at a younger age has increased odds to be more aggressive.

IMO, Physical health or training per se is good for overall wellbeing, but will not slow down or affect DD.

I completely understand your commitment to the gym, but if I were in your position, I would become more careful to not be straining muscles or tendons of the fingers, palm, or lower arm. Being regularly exposed to situations where a slip or a momentary lapse of weights or equipment could occur increases the odds of hand trauma.

My anecdotal experience is that DD can flare up suddenly, with or without a fitness routine, and severe contracture can occur in a short time. So quickly that by the time you make an initial appointment for diagnosis, you may be facing stage 3 or 4 DC.

Trauma to the hands could make a flare up much worse than if there was no traumatic event(s). I speak from experience and lessons learned. You should also be aware that some prescription meds and substances may worsen symptoms of Dupuytren's.

My exercise is now limited to running and road bicycling as they do not subject the hands to stress or strain.

Lots of good advice from the other posters on this thread. Thanks for sharing your situation on the forum. Best of luck!

07/27/2017 17:00
bstenman 
07/27/2017 17:00
bstenman 
Re: Dupuytren Gym ?

Dupuytren's affects the underlying tissue in the hands or feet and interferes with the normal operation of the muscles and connective tissue. I have had exceptional hand strength all my life and had more endurance than most in activities that demanded a lot from my hands, rock climbing, rowing, construction.

Now I find that any activity that requires me to use my hand to clench something, be it a hammer or a paint brush or a camera, for an extended period of time results in cramping of the hand, during and sometimes hours after the activity. I was doing wedding photography and found after 7 or more hours of gripping the camera that my hand would start to cramp. I gave up the wedding photography.

I also gave up rowing and sold my scull. I gave up painting around my house - which I did not mind at all! I replaced my paddle type kayak with a pedal type from Hobie. So I can still run and hike and bicycle and kayak and still do photography. I use cold packs on my hand after intense use of it and that helps somewhat. I make a point of stretching my hands during the day. One adjusts.

I have friends with bad hearts and bad backs and bad knees and in comparison Dupuytren's has been less restrictive overall in terms of lifestyle and activities. I am thankful that I was able to get NA and Xiaflex treatment as they have made a very big difference in my continued use of my hands.

10/17/2017 05:07
Day 
10/17/2017 05:07
Day 
Re: Dupuytren Gym ?

Hi
I first had issues with Dupuytrens when I was about 10. I am now 57.
Since the age of 11 netball has been my passion. I have played the sport at least a couple of times a week if not 5 and still play today.I am a sports minded person and regularly do various other exercise including going to the gym and bike riding. I do not just play social netball and my hand has a good workout passing the ball down the court.

The nodules in my hands have been there since about 10 years of age and it is only in the last year that they have begun to increase in size. The first attempt to remove any of the nodules on one foot was at 10 years of age and was unsuccessful as they grew back. My other foot is not affected. The second surgery I had was when I was 14 it was plastic surgery with a massive skin graft covering most of the instep of the foot. It did however remove the problem and I have never had any nodules grow back in that foot since. It was however a drastic measure and in hindsight would I have had it done with what I know now? To be honest apart from the initial operation and early issues associated with it, the surgery took away the problem and I was not held back by it. I even spent my youth growing up near the beach and rarely wore shoes. I probably would have advised my 14 year old self to go ahead and have the operation.
I feel the exercise that I have done has not in any way increased the nodules growth and it is due to my age that they have started to increase in size. My hand is gradually tightening and at the current rate of growth it will be only a few years before it will need some form of surgery in my right hand and then maybe a little later in my left. My left hand was much less affected in the beginning. My opinion was always that any form of exercise will stretch the hand and keep it more mobile.

10/17/2017 18:19
bstenman 
10/17/2017 18:19
bstenman 
Re: Dupuytren Gym ?

There are more people who are engaged in activities that require strong hands who seem to suffer from Dupuytren's but I believe that it is that people who have strong hands have the same genetic makeup that later leads to developing Dupuytren's. I have had friends who were ice climbers and body builders and construction workers and by and large I had greater hand strength than any of them.

My own limitations as Dupuytren's has progressed in my hands is that any activity that requires tightly gripping something for long periods of time will result in my hands cramping up and it can take 24 hours for my hands to fully recover. So I gave up rowing and painting and similar activities. I did not mind giving up painting around my house.

XRT is a good first step to slow and possible halt the progression of the disease.

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