I'm 24 years old and live in Sweden. During the recent year, I’ve got first one nodule one the palm of my right hand. Then half a year later, I got nodules in the soles of both my feet. I didn’t connect the nodules on my feet with that in my hand, until very recently, when I got a nodule on the left hand too. For a few days I’ve been searching the internet, trying to find out what could be the cause. Dupuytren's disease and Ledderhose's disease seem to be the only plausible explanations I’ve been able to find. As yet, however, I only have these nodules, but no other problems. One thing I wonder is this: does this seem to be an aggressive kind of development? In Sweden the recommendation is to do nothing at all until the disease gets troublesome, and then apply surgery. If my development is aggressive, perhaps the best would be to seek treatment elsewhere, if the diagnosis is right? According to what I can find, there is for example no radiotherapy treatment in Sweden.
What I’m trying to do now, is to get a diagnosis. But if it would be Dupuytren's and Ledderhose's and the Swedish health care, according to their procedures, will do nothing at all, should I try to seek treatment elsewhere?
Have you researched all of the treatment options under the "Treatment" drop down menu at the top of this page? From your description, it sounds like your disease may be in the early stages and "active". If it active and progressing with nodules, you may well be a candidate for radiation therapy/RT. It has shown good results for "active" Dupuytren's disease. if it is early stage but not active, NA may work.
Professor Seegenschmiedt in Hamberg, Germany is recognizes as either the best or one of the best in the world in providing RT. Find his information under Treatment", then Clinics, then Germany. He evaluates all factors affecting each individual patient. You can search all about him by clicking on the the "Search forum" tool in the menu list in the left column. Put in his name and you will find many posts telling about and RT. Radiation therapy is the only thing so far that stops the progression is it is done early. I did not use the Professor for my radiation therapy but if I lived in Europe, he would be my first choice at this point in time. He knows Dupuytren's and when radiation is a choice or not. If you are not a candidate, he will say so.
I wish you well and hope this helps some. Please come back to this Forum and feel free to ask questions. Lots of caring people will share there experiences. Also, please let us know what you decide. It is never an easy decision. Your experience will help us all.
Welcome to the Forum. From the pictures you posted it looks like you have Dupuytrens and Ledderhose, but it is important to get the proper diagnosis. I totally agree with Flojo that Professor Seegenschmiedt in Hamberg, Germany would be the top authority in the field, in Europe.
If you have no access to other treatments in Sweden and are advised to wait until the disease progresses to do surgery, it would be a mistake. Early treatment is the way to go, RT can stop the progression of the disease and there is also Needle Aponeurotomy (NA) (usually done when cords develop) or Xiaflex. Like Flojo said read about all these early treatments or contact Dr. Seegenschmiedt.
I have been a patient of Prof. Seegenschmiedt, initially with Ledderhose and a few years later with Dupuytren Disease. He recognized my Dupuytren 3 years (he said "early stage") in advance when I really observed and palpated my nodules myself. They were clearly progressing during a period of 3 to 6 months.
He treats only during the "active phase" of the disease and then all of the recognizable nodules and cords with "safety zone" of about 1 to 2 cm.
Both my treatments where very successful although I was considered to have an "aggressive type" of Dupuytren. Several members of my relatives have either or both Ledderhose or Dupuytren Disease.
Nowadays I visit Prof. Seegenschmiedt every year for follow-up examinations, which he does with perfection. Throughout the years I have known him he has never changed in its friendy habit and skillful performance. So I fully aggree with the previous comments ...
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