I was diagnosed with Dupytrens in my middle finger on my left hand. My finder is bent inwards slightly, I can't straighten it, it's very sore, always hot and quite swollen. If I accidentally knocked my finger on, say, a table I am in a LOT of pain.
The swelling seems to be all round the finger not just on the palm side. It also looks kind of blue.
Is this all normal for this condition?
Whatever it is came on over a 3 month period and I'm struggling with it now. I go to the gym but now can no longer grip anything properly with that hand, I can't pick a mug of coffee up as that finder won't close around the handle and is painful when I try and do that.
I'd really appreciate some help and guidance with this.
What you describe, the swelling, pain and rapid evolution, doesn't sound typical of early DD to me. What did your doctor suggest? If nothing, I would get a second opinion. Meanwhile you can always upload a photo here, perhaps that will ring a bell with someone.
Stef
[55, Dupuytren diagnosis 2006, RH contracture and PNF/NA 2014, radiotherapy RH 2015, LH 2017, night splint glove]
I have read a few places that it shouldn't be painful but by god it is. My partner has to be really careful if she holds my hand. At the minute I cant bend my finger more than past 90 degrees towards my palm as it's too swollen and painful to do.
I am due a hospital appointment but it's not for another month yet.
Do I understand correctly that your doctor only said it is Dupuytren's Disease and asked you to make an appointment in hospital? For further examination? The typical evolution is slower and prevents straightening of fingers, not bending or closing them to make a fist. The swelling and pain also seems unusual (although not unheard of). I am not a medical expert, but there may be something else going on in your case, perhaps in addition to DD. If the diagnosis in hospital remains DD, in a particularly aggressive form, don't rush into surgery nevertheless as there may be alternatives for you. Also, I recommend you have both hands and feet examined thoroughly through palpation, and to do so yourself, too, regularly.
I saw a doctor who told me it was Dupytrens and I went back to see another doctor in the same surgery for a second opinion who said the same. That doctor has arranged the appointment at the hospital with the hand specialist for me.
I have attached 4 images, it's difficult to show my middle finger but I think you will be able to make out how much lower it is than the two fingers either side of it and how it doesn't straighten out. Also is a pic of my swollen finger with and a pic of my other normal hand to compare it to. You can see it has a blueish tinge from being swollen I'm guessing.
Your extension deficit may be caused by Dupuytren's but the swollen finger may have some other reason. It is quite untypical for Dupuytren's but who knows, everyone is different and maybe the Dupuytren tissue is pressing on a vein hindering the blood to flow back.
If you already have the diagnosis confirmed by a second doctor and have an appointment with a hand specialist you are on the right way. What I would do in that case is, in addition of having a thorough examination of both hands and feet, ask where the specialist believes your pain and swelling comes from, and if he is familiar with less invasive alternatives to open surgery such as Needle Aponeurotomy (NA) or Collagenase once your finger has reached a stage in which the tension should be released, or if some intervention is needed in order to reduce the unusual swelling and pain.
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