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03/07/2010 14:33
ValWils 
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03/07/2010 14:33
ValWils
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New to the group.
I'm new to the forum and have been reading many of the posts. I hope someone can tell me where my progression is and if it is time to seek treatment. About a year ago I noticed nodules on my knuckles. Went to an orthopedist who immediately looked at my palm (which I really hadn't noticed) and said I had Dupuytren's. That was it. No suggestions, no information, no recommendations, no treatments suggested.
Now it appears that the nodules on the knuckles are less prominent, but the nodules on my palm are larger. My right ring finger is affected. Mostly during the night for some reason. It will contract my finger and my finger gets stuck in that position. I can "unstick it" and it pops back to normal like a rubber band. I also have nodules on the bottom of my right foot. No complications. I am a 53 year old female.
Obviously I want to seek treatment from someone that is ready offer some effective therapy. I live in Mississippi. Any suggestions? Oh, my older brother is also affected. So, I am assuming some kind of genetic link. Also, is it really cost effective to travel to Germany? Thanks!
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03/07/2010 15:22
callie 
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03/07/2010 15:22
callie
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Re: New to the group.
The advice (non-advice) could be appropriate. It would have been nice to have been given more information, however. Many people who have Dupuytren's don't know it because the first symptoms do not advance much for the rest of their lives. Dupuytren's, in most cases, does not create a problem until contraction begins. What you describe is most likely a tendon sticking in the sheath. Dupuytren's produces a gradual contraction that doesn't just "pop" back into place. Also, the lumps you describe are probably ganglion cysts. These cysts are produced by escaping fluid that is eventually absorbed into the body. The cysts are similar to a hole in a tube of toothpaste, once out of the tube it doesn't go back in. It will stay as a cyst until absorbed.
It certainly wouldn't hurt to talk with another Dr. But, there is a great amount of information on the internet.
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03/07/2010 15:25
callie
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03/07/2010 15:25
callie
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Re: New to the group.
Also, therapy is usually not appropriate for Dupuytren's. The condition could be exacerbated by therapy.
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03/07/2010 22:10
flojo
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03/07/2010 22:10
flojo
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Re: New to the group.
ValWils,
If you were diagnosed by your orthopedist as having Dupuytren's, you would benefit from going to the menu on the left side of this page and read everything that you can find. It will help you decide what you need to do. Even after reading everything, it won't be easy to decide. No one can really tell you either, because this disease is different for everyone but reading the various postings on this forum will help you to understand it.
You can email pictures of your hand to some of the doctors who do NA. If your ring finger is beginning to contract, you might benefit from NA, or maybe not. Dr. Eaton in Florida and Dr. Denkler in California respond to emails, Neither are near you, but they will very likely respond to you anyway. They can tell you a lot by looking at pictures of your hand.
If you do have Dupytren's and it is progressing now, that could mean that it is active, therefore you could consider radiation therapy.
I had my Dupuytren's about 1 1/2 years when I decided to have NA on the mild contracture. I then did RT to stop the progression. I am pleased, so far, with my decision and the treatment results.
Learn all you can about it and keep asking questions here on this Forum.
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