Hello. My dupuytren was first diagnosed 8 years ago and now my little finger on my right hand is bent at about 80 - 90 degrees. I decided against surgery at 45 degrees due to the high likelihood of reoccurrence.
Can any one tell me if knitting makes it worse? I do a lot less than I used to, as I could feel my hands cramping after extended sessions, but after knitting for 45+years, I miss it!
Thanks.

There's an old thread on knitting and Dupuytrens here http://www.dupuytren-online.info/Forum_E...orse-0_281.html, but there's no real conclusion either way. Someone recommends you stretch out your hand regularly though to prevent it getting stiff or cramping in one position.

Edited 07/18/11 14:26

MMA1227,

You said, "But the lump and cord must be removed before it contracts.....". That is not the advice that is usually given to people. Generally a hand surgeon's response will be to consider surgery at about a 35-40 degree contraction, or when the contraction interferes with normal every day activities.

Congratulations on the success of your surgery. My finger had a contraction of 90 degrees 10 years ago and it is still totally absent of indications of Dupuytren's.

With regards to knitting, my suggestion is that repetitive actions that stress the hand can/does affect the growth of Dupuytren's.

Your story is interesting. I have closely followed Dupuytren's procedures for the last ten years. I have never heard anything like what you have said. It is pretty common knowledge about the 30-50 degree contraction before surgery is recommended. Some surgeons have mentioned earlier but that is rare in my experience.

Maybe someone else could chime into this discussion. I don't think I am wrong.

Edited 07/18/11 20:36

Callie,

I agree with you. I don't have your length of time in experience, but I do know that the hand surgeon that diagnosed me said that he would not do surgery until my finger/hand had contracted to somwhere betwen 40 and 50 degrees or if I couldn't take it anymore (that meant I had a nodule and cord that made my hand contract). He would not do surgery with only a nodule and cord, there had to be contraction for surgery to occur. This approach seems to be pretty standard from the threads that I have read over the last 2 years. I have never read of anyone having surgery on a nodule and cord to prevent contraction. Maybe I am wrong but ....why have surgery??? If it remains a nodule and cord then for most people no harm is being done until contraction begins to interfere with life.


Lori

Edited 07/18/11 21:56