Knuckle pads (Garrod's pads)

Patients with Dupuytren are more likely to develop knuckle pads, firm nodules or plaques (typically 0.5-3 cm diameter) located on the middle (PIP) or main (MCP) finger joints (see emedicine_knuckle_pads). See also A. Caroli et al. "Epidemiological and structural findings supporting the fibromatous origin of dorsal knuckle pads" J Hand Surg [Br] 16 (1991) p 237-9 abstract.

Knuckle pads are typically painless (though not always) and in most cases are thus only a cosmetic problem.

We are not aware of an established, generally successful therapy. Injection of corticosteroids (triamcinolone) can soften and sometimes even shrink the pads. Radiation therapy has also been reported to be successful in some cases. One of our members had his knuckle pads surgically removed and is happy with the result because they were painful before and the surgery went without complications.

Knuckle pads were medically first described by Garrod in 1893 and are also named Garrod's pads. Example of knuckle pads (picture provided by A. Meinel, Dupuytren-Ambulanz):

Knuckle pads, also called Garrod's pads, often come with Dupuytren's contracture

Page last modified: 02/13/2008